Steamboat Pilot & Today

Graduating from high school is an exciting time for many students, but feelings of fright and sorrow linger, as well.

"I'm kind of bummed it's all coming to an end," Hayden High School senior Brittany Doolin said about finishing her career in the school system. "But I'm still looking forward to moving on."

Doolin said she wants to attend the University of Northern Colorado to pursue a nursing career -- after she and the 27 other seniors from Hayden High School graduate at 7 p.m. today in a ceremony to be held in the high school gymnasium.

Hayden High School Principal Nick Schafer said this senior class is a special one.

"This is a really good senior class," Schafer said. "They have a great combination of athleticism and academic intelligence."

Senior Adriana Svoboda, who plans to become a dental hygienist after taking a year off from school, said starting over in a new location and meeting new people will be "definitely scary." But she is eager to face a new challenge.

Senior Cody Puckett isn't scared at all.

"I'm ready to get out," Puckett said. "It's been fun, but it's time to go."

Puckett said he would be attending Devry University to pursue a bachelor's degree in computer information systems.

Senior track star Jaclyn Etzler also said she is excited and eager about graduating.

"I have a need for adventure," Etzler said. "I'm ready for new opportunities and experiences."

She certainly will get her chance when she moves to Montana in the fall to attend the University of Montana.

Megan Parrott said she had "so much fun" her senior year at Hayden High School but is ready for something new. She said she wished she would have ran track all four years of high school, instead of waiting until her senior year to join the team.

"I'm a little nervous about being on my own," Parrott said. "I hope to do good, but I'm afraid I won't do good, maybe because there's no one to push me."

Parrott said she plans to take a year off from school to decide what she wants to do when she does go it alone.

-- To reach Nick Foster call 871-4204

or e-mail nfoster@steamboatpilot.com