Early graduate Sam Bodden walks across the stage at graduation. The sun shines on her cap as she receives her diploma. Not only did she work hard to get here, she worked hard enough to graduate early. Everyone’s journey after high school starts today, but for Bodden it started in December.

The early graduate program has been at MCHS for over a decade. This program provides students who are ahead of schedule to graduate early.

In order to get this, students must meet all graduation requirements and have a plan for life after high school.

“They need to fill out an application and get it approved by their counselor and me, and then there’s a space on there to write out their plan because I don’t want them leaving without a plan, you know, if they’re just going to sit home and play fortnite … it’s not good enough,” said Upper Campus Principal Dr. Jeff Prickett.

Students use the program to get ahead in their career or education. Others use it as time to reflect before moving on to life after high school.

“I decided to be an early graduate, not only for the benefit of my education, but for the betterment of my own self discovery,” said early grad Molara Fashola. “Being an adult is a big deal, and I felt that I needed to get to know myself more. Luckily, the December graduate program was able to grant me time to do so.”

Seniors in the early grad program are eager for what’s ahead in life, but can be sad about missing some of their high school experiences.

“I was sad to leave my friends and groups, but at the end of the day, I had to decide what was best for me and my future,” said early grad Pharis Walusimbi.

While some early grads were torn about leaving, others were ready to go.

“I was not sad about missing my last semester of high school. I was actually excited, counting down the days until I graduated,” said Bodden.

While early grads miss their last semester of high school, they are still able to attend school events like dances, sporting events, and senior events like Senior Sunrise and Senior Sunset. The school works to include the early graduates in everything they can.

MCHS Renaissance Team started an early grad breakfast to acknowledge and honor the students.

“The Renaissance Team started the December Grad Breakfast because they realized that we weren’t really doing anything for them, other than sending them off in December and not seeing them again until Graduation,” said Prickett. “We decided that we wanted to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments with a breakfast and encouraging words.”

Early graduates still attend graduation with the rest of the senior class. They leave early in order to give them time to sort things out or to head straight to their career.

“I believe that the break between high school and college could make or break the experience going into that new stage of life,” said Fashola. “Others may not understand, but for me the December graduate program is more than a get out of jail free card. It’s an opportunity for extra living. For yourself.”