Nothing could have prepared me for how much work senior year was! I wish more people knew that you’ll get out what you put in.

Frances Josma, a 2024 graduate of St. Lucie West Centennial High School, wrote to us about the work she put in during her senior year to set herself up for success. Let’s hear how she did it.

I started on my personal statements and studying for the SAT/ACT in the summer before my senior year, all while working. Once school started, I left my job to focus on five dual enrollment courses and two high school courses. I completed my volunteer hours at a preschool located inside of my high school, where I got to see the kids every day. For extracurriculars, I wrote articles for Journalism Club, learned how to sew and crochet in Fashion Club, and even organized a new ASL (American Sign Language) Club.

Without my mom’s support (and transportation), I would not have been able to juggle everything. My high school counselor, Ms. McAdoo was always attentive and available, kept us all on track for graduation, and guided me through college decisions. Through an organization called Guided Pathway Support, I improved my SAT/ACT scores and applied for many local and national scholarships. I also found a lot of information and advice on social media.

Frances is off to Florida State University in the fall, where she plans to work towards a career in environmental law. Her short-term plan is to be a self-described “academic weapon”: learning everything she can in college and teaching others about it. Way to go, Frances!

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