One major event of being a senior in high school is turning 18 and becoming “legal.” The Triton Voice spoke with a teacher who many students confide in, as well as some students who are 18 or are turning 18 in the coming year to see what their plans are, and what they hope to do.
Some of what the class of 2025 is excited for when turning 18, was different for Mr Joseph Galante when he turned 18.
You might be asking, well what can you do once you turn 18 in Massachusetts? Here is a list:
- Vote
- Serve on a Jury (Jury Duty)
- Get married
- Enlist in the Military
- Take out a loan
- Run for office (city, county, or state office)
“[When I turned 18] I had a plan to go to the army after high school, but my allergy to shellfish made that hard for me, so I ended up just going to college at the University of Maine,” said Galante. When asked about the freedoms he was able to get, he said something one wouldn’t think of right away. said Galante.
While most students plan on going to college, some students in Triton High are planning on some other things, like Krys Vashon. Krys plans on going into the military after high school, as he feels school isn’t the best fit for him. “I turn 18 in April and I plan to go into the military and be a mechanic,” said Vashon. “My dad and my grandfather did it when they turned 18 so I guess that’s what I’ve always planned on doing,” Vashon also said.
Luke Sullivan, who turned 18 back in September, has already used some of his freedoms to his advantage. “The first big thing I did when I turned 18 was go to the Brook in Seabrook and played Blackjack, as well as buy a scratch ticket,” said Sullivan. Luke expressed the excitement he had for entering the world of being 18 during our interview. “Yeah I’m thinking about maybe getting a tattoo too at some point,” said Sullivan.
Turning 18 is the first large milestone in a teenager’s life (other than the golden Sweet 16). Hearing from Mr Joseph Galante opened a perspective that turning 18 isn’t all about what you can do, but rather the things you should be more aware of. Senior Luke Sullivan and Krys Vashon have different plans for their time as 18-year-olds, but both plans are optimistic and adventurous. So what do you plan on doing when you turn 18?
