Eastern Tech Graduates Prepare for the Future

Austin Schappel has had a memorable couple of weeks.

First, the 17-year-old on May 23 in s annual car giveaway. Then on Tuesday, Schappel walked across the stage and received his high school diploma at CCBC Essex.

Schappel was a part of an impressive Class of 2012 at Eastern Tech. Of the 318 graduating seniors, 94 percent are planning to attend college while the group earned a combined $4.6 million in scholarships, school principal Tom Evans said.

Among the remaining students, two percent are planning to attend a technical or trade school, two percent will join the military with two percent expected to join the workforce, Evans said.

"This has been an exciting time," said Schappel, who is headed to , where he plans on playing lacrosse and majoring in physical therapy. "I'm going to miss high school, but am looking forward to college."

Those who graduated with Schappel on Tuesday displayed a wide range of emotions during Eastern Tech's 41st commencement exercises. Some were excited, others were nervous about their future while even more weren't sure how they were feeling at this pivotal moment in their lives.

"It just hasn't hit me yet," said Abi Green, who is headed to Ohio State University. "I'm not sure when it's going to hit me. I think when I come to the realization that I may never speak to or see some of my friends again after today."

Brianna Humphreys said she considers graduation a bittersweet moment.

"I'm going to miss a lot of my friends and others I've met during my four years at Eastern Tech," said Humphreys, who will attend Philadelphia University in the fall. "But it's exciting to be exploring new opportunities."