Right now, Kayla Novelo and Juliet Ogun could have been juniors focusing on their studies, preparing for college, and enjoying their junior year with their friends. Instead, they are now seniors focusing on their college applications, classwork, and future. Best friends, Novelo and Ogun decided to graduate together in 2025, instead of 2026.
Novelo initially heard about the option to graduate early from a member in her congregation and thought it was a good idea. Novelo’s late uncle also believed that graduating early was a good option for her. Novelo struggles with the traditional school environments and her family understands that the setting does not work well for her. With the support of her family and friends, she decided to graduate early.
Ogun chose this path because she was inspired by her brother, who graduated from South Lakes in 2023 and went on to medical school in Cyprus. Similar to her brother, she has a lifelong goal to become a doctor in Türkiye or Cyprus. Ogun knowing exactly what she wants to study has been the biggest factor that motivates her to reach her goals. She plans to go to Near East University in Cyprus.
Around their sophomore year, they both had the same idea to graduate early. The decision to graduate together helped strengthen their friendship. Throughout the process, they encouraged each other to push through. The overwhelming support from their family, friends, and teachers they both have received has motivated them to follow their dreams.
They both are taking English 11 and 12 simultaneously to fulfill their graduation requirements. They are also sacrificing their high school experience, having to spend less time with their friends and not being able to graduate with many of them.
Novelo has made many sacrifices to accomplish her goal of completing high school early. She has given up her initial plan to aim for an advanced diploma, and has also had to leave behind her close-knit community in band after three years.
She was also planning to continue taking Japanese classes this year, but cannot. To fill that gap, she is planning to take Japanese classes at NOVA. She would have also liked taking some IB courses, like IB Literature, which she had been looking forward to.
Novelo and Ogun both recommend early graduation to students who know exactly what they want to study with plans already in place. Students should know that graduating early is a lot of hard work and they should prepare to take a standard diploma. They both agree that with the extra year, they will have more time to focus on their career and personal goals.
Kayla Novelo and Juliet Ogun both stress the importance of balancing your time.
Ogun says, “friends who are not applying for colleges yet will be less busy but [students] need to focus on [their] senior year.”
Novelo believes more students should know that there is an option to graduate early because feels that “not many people are aware.”
Both girls are excited for their graduation and for their futures outside of high school!
