Como seniors planning for future

High school seniors across the country confront challenging decisions while simultaneously navigating the present and their future. Finding the right balance between keeping up with current responsibilities, making memories, and planning for life after graduation can be tricky.

At Como, many seniors from the class of 2024 have completed college applications and are “getting in” to the schools they desire to attend. Financial aid packages that will influence their decisions are still being generated. 

For other Como seniors uncertain about which path to take and how to pursue, there is support through programs such as Get Ready, College Possible, Upward Bound, and the schools’ Career Pathway Center. 

Get Ready is federally funded and administered through the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Beyond campus visits for Como students this fall, they recently sponsored a field trip to the University of Minnesota for a postsecondary conference. This was a new experience for 44 seniors to be in a setting with active exploration focused on life after high school.

Presentation topics included “The Labor Market: What Employers Are Looking For,” “Balancing Academics and Social Life in College,” “Careers in Construction” and “What is a Gap Year?” among others. There were also panel discussions with college advisors and current university students who provided an opportunity for student-generated questions.

 

Over 20 Como students are active members of a new club called HOSA, which stands for Health Occupation Students of America. Como is the first SPPS school to establish a HOSA chapter. The organization is dedicated to developing the next generation of health care professionals. 

Como’s HOSA chapter meets on Wednesdays during the school-wide seminar session. Several guest speakers have visited to share information including an optometrist, a lab technician, a midwife, a chiropractic radiologist, and a school nurse. Many more guest speakers are lined up for 2024.

HOSA also plans to engage in community service projects and compete in healthcare competitions. Social worker Gail Grogan and science teacher Dr. Heather Norton-Bower are the staff supervisors. 

 

The spring musical at Como will be an adaptation of Disney’s “The Jungle Book.” Performances are scheduled to run on March 15 and 16 in the Como Park Auditorium. Choir director Huy Tran and English teacher Suzanne Myhre are in the process of organizing auditions and assembling the cast and stage crew.

 

The final week of school in 2023 was a spirited one with thematic dress-up days. Monday was “Twin Day,” Tuesday was “Celebrity Day,” Wednesday was “Dress as a Teacher Day,” Thursday was “Culture Day,” with students celebrating their roots by wearing cultural attire, and Friday was “Como Colors Day.”

The gym was filled with black and gold Friday afternoon as students supported their classmates competing in the “Battle of the Classes Futsal Tournament.” The freshmen team won the title – and beat the Como staff squad!