Another semester at FHS isn't in the schedules of approximately 69 seniors, who are graduating early and seem to share the opinion of "the sooner out of school, the better."
The time frames for college-bound students vary greatly, since some will go on to higher education immediately, while those with time to spare will use it for recreation, travel, or work.
Those who have definite plans to go to college are often a little more stressed than those who don't. In the rushed category is senior Paul Otto. On Jan. 7 he registered for FVCC classes that started Jan. 13.
"I should have done it earlier," said Otto. "I try to take a day at a time, but several attack me at once.
"I have definite senioritis!" said senior Jill Bowen, who may attend a university in Arizona. "I was reminded how warm it is there when I visited during Christmas break."
Attending the University of Idaho in Moscow has been postponed for senior Kelly Broderick a year or more as she works and snowboards this winter.
"I can't wait to get out of here!" said Broderick. "I've only lived here for two years and most of my friends have graduated, so I won't miss much."
Ambition has struck senior Steve Howard, who may start his own business.
"Mr. Riley told me there's a tire store for sale, so I'm looking into the details," said Howard, who presently works for TireRama. "I'm learning all I can from my manager about the tire business."
Self-reliance is nothing new to senior Angela Waldo, who lived and worked on her own last year.
"I had a taste of what it's like to live after graduation," said Waldo. "Graduating early means I can work and save more for college.
"I'm hyper to get out."
The freedom that comes with graduation may be best expressed with travel, since many early grads want to go far away.
"As soon as I get out, I'm going to sleep on my couch for three days straight," said senior Paul Cockrell. "Then I'll work and ski a lot, waking up at noon or later every day."
Cockrell says he will also hang out with his girlfriend and eventually travel wherever he can, stopping to ski when possible.
Others plan traveling to Europe, nannying in New England, and joining foreign exchange programs.
"I feel like I'm ready to get out of school," said senior Ida Basko. "In summer, I will be leaving for a foreign exchange work program."
Basko hopes to be accepted to Paraguay, where she can improve her four years of Spanish.
Said Basko: "I think I'll actually become more social (after early graduation) since I can meet new people."