Throughout a student’s high school career, they take a large variety of subjects – Biology, Geometry, grammar, Spanish, Health, Algebra, Stellar and Planetary Science, Chemistry, and so much more. With this abundance of knowledge, it’s understandable for some topics to lack importance in individual students’ lives post-high school. While preparing to specialize in their passions in college, Trojan seniors know exactly what they’re likely to never use again.
Many kids can agree that there are aspects of mathematics that will never be useful to them beyond graduation. For example, Katherine Offutt (12) commented, “When will I ever need to know how to factor? I love my math teacher, but holy moly.” Although necessary for passing Algebra classes, there are many occupations that don’t require this skill. Not everyone needs to be able to find ‘x’ in order to find success in their future.
“I will never again use synthetic division for as long as I live,” added senior Connor Shelbourn. Precalculus and Calculus lessons often have uses for specific situations that do not pertain to the average person’s occupations unless one becomes a mathematician. Isaac Mandel (12) agreed that he probably wouldn’t use most of the information he learned in his Calc class once he graduated.
Even though Platteview Trojans are reaching for the stars, not all of them need to know stellar life cycles. “I don’t think I will ever use my knowledge of stars and their life cycle,” states Erin Musch (12). After all, not everyone needs to know how a star dies to shine bright themselves.
Contrasting her peers, Kinley Haase (12) doubts her utilization of grammar rules. She mentioned, “I’ll probably never identify gerunds, participles, and infinitives again. I know they’re technically important, but in real life, I just write and hope it sounds right.”
As Platteview’s senior Trojans walk across the stage on May 18, 2025, celebrating their graduation, they are prepared to specialize in their passions. Whether their goal is to become the next Einstein or the next Shakespeare, or something in between, all the world’s a stage for these graduates in becoming successful.
