No more homework. That is the case for 28 early graduates.
Out of 118 seniors in the class of 2026, 28 have chosen to graduate early, with 19 graduating in the second term and nine in the third term.
School counselor Mackenzie Atwater hopes students aren’t graduating early because of anything West Delaware is doing that they don’t like.
“I’m hoping it’s because they’re over the high school scene,” Atwater said. “They’re ready to be adults.”
Second-term graduate Ava Pettlon (12) works at Aunt Emmy’s coffee shop several days a week. When Pettlon isn’t working there, she works on her family’s farm, taking care of calves and harvesting crops.
Pettlon is happy with her decision to graduate early. After completing her required courses, she didn’t see a point in continuing to take classes and thought the benefits of graduating early, such as making money, starting her future early, and becoming more independent, were worth it.
Pettlon did face some struggles after graduating.
“I’m kind of just missing my friends,” Pettlon said. “It felt weird not going to school and getting out of that routine.”
Pettlon plans to attend NICC at Calmar for animal science to become a dairy nutritionist.
“I would much rather be out and doing something with myself and making money. I don’t have any regrets,” Pettlon said.
Molly Waterhouse (12), a second-term graduate, works as a CNA at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester.
“I knew since my junior year that I wanted to graduate early, and I filled out the form the earliest I could,” Waterhouse said. “I wish I could have taken government early and graduated junior year, because I was so ready to be done with high school.”
Now that she’s graduated, Waterhouse works at least 20 hours a week and picks up shifts whenever she can.
“I have very minimal stress in my life, which is what I wanted,” Waterhouse said.
Waterhouse has a more flexible schedule now that she doesn’t have to work her schedule around school. She is glad to not have to deal with stress from school.
“I didn’t want to worry about the stress of getting homework done on time and things like that,” Waterhouse said. “Although I do miss some aspects of high school, I was ready to move on from that part of my life.”
Next fall, Waterhouse plans on attending Kirkwood Community College for nursing.
Another second-term graduate, Jack Georgen (12), works at Georgen Auto, his family’s auto repair shop, as a mechanic.
“I’m glad I graduated early because I can work more hours and get more experience in the shop,” Georgen said.
Georgen plans to attend WyoTech in Wyoming to study automotive technology.
“I get to learn the responsibilities of the workforce, instead of going to school and taking classes I won’t need for my future career,” Georgen said.
In addition, Avery Payne (12) is a third-term early graduate. She plans to go to college to be a mental health counselor and also a business owner.
“I’m going to get a job, and then I will be moving into an apartment shortly after I graduate,” Payne said.
Even with how excited she is for her future, Payne does admit she will have some regrets about graduating early.
“I’m going to miss the last band concert and also time with friends, obviously. I’ll also miss having the high school experience because I’ll never get it back,” Payne said. “I think in the long run, it’ll be fine because it’s only two months that I’ll be missing out on.”
According to Atwater, early graduates can’t participate in extracurricular activities. However, they can participate in prom, senior awards, and graduation.
