In a state known for its scenic landscapes and tight-knit communities, Utah’s Class of 2025 stands at a crossroads as they prepare to graduate high school this spring.
Among these students is Abi Airhart, who pursued cosmetology not out of passion but to keep her career options broad.
For two years, Airhart has driven daily from Highland High School in Salt Lake City to Sandy, participating in a program from Canyons School District’s Career and Technical Education Center.
With her full cosmetology license now in hand, she reflects on her future aspirations, noting that while she has the skills to pursue this career should she wish, she is also contemplating paths that align with her dreams of motherhood one day.
Airhart is one of the over 53,000 seniors graduating this year, contributing to one of the largest classes on record in Utah, which is projecting an approximate 88% graduation rate based on recent trends.
Having experienced the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic during their middle school years, this generation carries the weight of expectation, feeling a blend of anxiety and heightened empathy as they navigate their futures.
As part of a unique collaboration between The Salt Lake Tribune and the student newspaper, the Rambler, interviews were conducted with Highland High seniors to explore their thoughts on the future and the role Utah may play in it.
For some students, the desire to leave Utah is strong in their pursuit of dreams, while for others, staying local emerges as a combination of practicality and personal fulfillment.
Statistics show that roughly half of Utah’s high school graduates transition to college within the first year after graduation, with about 80% of them choosing to remain within the state for their college education.
Enrollment numbers at Utah colleges and universities continue their upward trend as a testament to the state’s educational aspirations among its youth.
However, with the imminent political battles surrounding higher education in Utah—ranging from legislation targeting diversity initiatives to considerable budget cuts—many of these students remain focused on their immediate choices regarding school and career paths rather than concerning themselves with the larger political climate for now.
Many seniors feel external pressure to enroll in college, a sentiment echoed by Eli Johnson, who recognized early on that higher education was the expectation among peers and faculty at his high school, Judge Memorial Catholic High School.
As he contemplates his future, Johnson considers the costs associated with college and the cultural environment he might encounter.
Now on the verge of starting college at the University of Utah, Johnson is excited to experience campus life in the dorms firsthand, albeit with concerns about affording life post-college.
He recognizes that living in Utah comes with rising costs, and his aspirations for a family one day weigh heavily on his mind when thinking about his financial future.
What’s paramount for Johnson, though, is the impact he wants to make in the world, emphasizing that his chosen profession as an EMT would allow him to help people during their most difficult moments.
As he scanned the horizon of life past high school, Johnson noted that despite feeling somewhat insignificant amid the larger population, finding purpose through aiding others presents invaluable fulfillment.
Another senior, Elena Duarte, initially envisioned her future within the culinary field but later shifted her focus to college education instead.
Having missed out on vital deadlines for culinary school applications, she will now be attending Salt Lake Community College in the fall, where she plans to study business and computer science.
With financial aid support, Duarte intends to transfer to the University of Utah the following year should her plans unfold favorably.
Encouraged by her family, particularly her mother, she recognizes that a degree will provide more opportunities for her future.
Duarte, who has an affinity for coding and data analysis, aims to build a marketing career merging these skills together.
While she has not completely ruled out the culinary vocation, it will take a back seat as she embraces new learning avenues.
The high cost of living in Utah weighs on her mind, possibly pushing her to seek options beyond state borders.
Despite this uncertainty, building a support network at home that includes her 19-year-old brother fosters a sense of community through their mutual aid.
Seventeen can feel overwhelmingly young for making such significant life decisions, according to Duarte, and she encourages her peers to remain flexible in their aspirations, advising them to keep multiple plans in case circumstances change.
For Nate Horowitz, college was never debated; however, picking the right destination proved pivotal.
Having applied to multiple institutions, including the University of Utah, Horowitz made it clear early on that his desires leaned toward new experiences outside of his home state.
“I think all along, I wanted to try something new and explore outside of Utah,” he said, expressing his inclination toward larger cities.
He will enroll at Northeastern University in Boston this fall, captivated by its cooperative education program and urban vibes.
While financial considerations made in-state choices appealing, Horowitz remained steadfast in his decision to venture beyond Utah, seeking to expand his job prospects and experience.
He reflects on the notion that sometimes leaving is necessary to appreciate what was once home—a sentiment he now carries with him.
Back at Highland High, Airhart finds herself reconceptualizing her trajectory upon witnessing her sister’s college journey.
What began as a focus on cosmetology morphed into an opportunity to attend Brigham Young University, where she plans to delve into nursing.
For Airhart, practicality dictates her choices.
While she holds no strong attachment to either nursing or cosmetology, she recognizes the need for a stable job conducive to family life in her future aspirations.
Her desire to become a mother guides her in looking for employment that aligns with that vision—rooted in a living situation that allows her presence at home.
Unlike many of her peers, Airhart doesn’t feel compelled to seek opportunities outside of Utah.
Instead, her focus rests on taking on a new chapter at BYU that will challenge her in unfamiliar environments while still providing her with chances to form new connections.
Although she admits to feeling unprepared for the rigors ahead, Airhart approaches her future with hope and excitement for what lies ahead.
As students across Utah complete their high school journeys, amid uncertainties and possibilities, they walk forward with their eyes opened to the numerous paths that stretch before them.
Navigating through life choices one decision at a time, these seniors are preparing to leave their mark on the world, no matter their tool for impact, be it in the classroom, the operating table, or within their communities.
image source from：https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/05/25/utah-high-school-seniors-plan/
