Document text
AHS readies for graduation By Amber Fossen Ashland Daily Tidings Finishing finals and tackling senior project presentations, Ashland High School seniors will finally see their long-awaited graduation day. Slated for 7 p.m. Friday in Lithia Park, AHS graduating seniors will receive the diplomas they've worked four hard years to attain. This year alone, graduates have overcome schedule changes, shortened days, and fewer Guide periods as a result of budget cuts. After hurdling both academic and personal obstacles, a total of 271 seniors will make up the AHS Class of 2003. Senior Nicole Preston said seniors have had a lot on their plate this year. Aside from the impact of budget cuts - such as changes in schedules and fewer course offerings - Preston said it's the last minute details that make the end of the year hectic. "If you don't have your mentor verification sheet in, you might not be walking," Preston said. "It's just having to think about those details while looking ahead to what seems like a much bigger deal like college and life." Preston moved to the district her freshman year from Tacoma, Wash., where she immersed herself in the theater department. "I found what I really loved and where I fit in on campus," she said. As part of her senior project, Preston wrote and produced portions of "15 Poppy Avenue." The student-generated play was featured in the Rose Studio on the AHS campus earlier this year. Preston is also a part of the Ashland Young Playwright Festival which showcases student theater at the high school. Despite Preston's interest in theater, she has opted to study English and French next fall at Lewis and Clark College. Her hopes are to become a teacher. "I think producing a show is almost like teaching," she said. "It's a lot of delegation but I've always been a leader. I really enjoy helping people achieve things." Preston said Joel Cicerrella's philosophy and literature course, Lauren Schaffer's French class, and Betsy Bishop's constant presence in the theater department made an impact on her future. "When you get a teacher who's passion matches yours, not exceeds it, nothing beats that," she said. Middle school and elementary levels were released Wednesday. Today is the final day of classes at the high school. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -