Senior Transformations
Seniors share the ways that they have changed throughout their four years in high school.
By Evelyn Kent, Sophia Date, and Dylan Diaz
​
​
​
Jordan McCallister
He/him
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
How have you changed since your freshman year?
I feel like it’s my sense of confidence (that) has changed since freshman year to now. … My freshman year, there were definitely times and periods where I wasn’t really completely sure about myself. And I was still trying to find my identity and (trying) to get my sense of who I (was) as a person. Even still, I don’t think I have the greatest sense of who I am, but it’s still a process that I feel everyone works on everyday. … I have a better understanding of who I am, and basically what my purpose is in the world.
​
What has helped you get a better sense of your identity?
My friends and my family, and really my community, too, (have) helped me a lot in finding that. Because it wasn’t until sophomore (or) junior year when I started working a lot with the youth in my community. And that opened my eyes to a new perspective and helped me reevaluate what’s actually important in life. I used to volunteer at my old school until it got shut down around the corner. I would come in all the time after school, (help) them tutor, (lead) games and activities and (give) them advice and (run them) through what it’s like to be a high school student. And it was really good for me because the kids there were all of color, and it was important for me to be … a figure they can relate to and they can look up to on a real level.
What are your plans after finishing high school?
Basically, my plan A right now is I’m going to Portland State University, and I’ll be studying business. Meanwhile, while I’m at school, I’ll be trying to jump into the real estate field. And although it’s not necessarily mandatory or required that I go to school in order to get into real estate … it’s still something I want to do.
What is a takeaway from high school that you will apply to the rest of your life?
Really, just stay with those that have stayed with you, especially in tough times. Throughout high school, I’ve had multiple circles or whatever … but only my true close circle and people I let into my life really know the type of man I am. You just got to focus on your close circle, because those are the people who are going to be there for you no matter what. It’s important to keep them around.
​
​
Luke McCullough
He/him
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
How have you changed since your freshman year?
I think how I view my privilege, being a white man in America, and then how I can use that to bring to light other people’s voices and underrepresented voices. And then also just recognizing what I have and being appreciative of it. And also just formulating my own opinions and caring less about what others think of me. … Freshman year was definitely hard for me. … Coming in … from a smaller school … I was really excited about Grant. But when I came in, it was a little overwhelming and I was struggling to find where I fit in.
How did you find your place in the community?
Sophomore year, I had a knee injury and had a surgery that kind of threw me off schedule. I wasn’t able to play the remainder of the football season, wasn’t really able to play much of or any of the basketball season. … I had these months … without sports, and it kind of just made me realize, ‘(Who) am I? What do I bring? What am I about other than sports?’ Going into junior year … it kind of made me realize … I enjoy biking, I enjoy rock climbing, doing a bunch of things that are outside … stereotypical jocks or thespians. But I was definitely expanding what I could do.
What are your plans after finishing high school?
My plans after high school. I plan to attend the University of Oregon, and I plan to study sociology and psychology … I kind of want to be a researcher or a sociologist that either conducts research for certain companies, certain social groups or a consultant, maybe.
What is a takeaway from high school that you will apply to the rest of your life?
Be compassionate. I think there’s so much expectation and pressure … for people to do certain things, be with certain friend groups, social groups or whatever. And I think it’s important to realize who you are, what your interests are, and not worry about what others think. … But also look at yourself and how you present yourself in the world and how other people may view you. Just be compassionate and be caring. Those are two things that can go a long way.
Quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.
