Senior Kathleen Romano is one of the many students who will be graduating from Weedsport High School this summer. She is a very hardworking, upbeat and intelligent person who has dedicated much of her time to schoolwork and extracurriculars, some of which include writing for the Johnny Green, singing in chorus and working at Dunkin Donuts. Many people around school recognize her by the cup of coffee she always has in her hands and she will always give you a smile in the hallways.
As for her college plans, Kathleen isn’t quite sure what she wants to do yet. “I plan on taking a gap year at first just because I’m not exactly sure of what I want to do in the future and don’t want to waste the money on college and not know what to do when I get there.” Despite this, she says that once she figures out what career she would like to pursue she plans on moving out West and going to school there. “I’m hoping to get into a community college in Salt Lake City for the first two years then I may transfer to the University of Utah, which is in the same city.” Kathleen says that she’s looking at colleges out West simply because she’s always loved the area. “I traveled out there during spring break and just realized how in love with it I am. It’s just beautiful.”
In addition to figuring out her college plans, Kathleen will also be getting married in the near future as she was recently engaged. Her fiance Drew, also went to Weedsport for a few years during his school career. “Everyone I’ve told has been happy for me and there has been some surprise since it’s kind of unusual to get engaged so young nowadays.” Kathleen says she wasn’t necessarily expecting to get engaged until she was out of college, yet it’s something that she’ll accept with open arms. “I guess it was just meant to happen. And to me, marriage is more than just being with someone. It’s living the rest of your life with your best friend and with someone you love. And I see that person in Drew, so even though I’m young I’ve realized it’s what I want.”
When asked what one piece of advice is that she would give to any Weedsport student, Kathleen responded with, “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff. When I went out West by myself I realized that the world is so much bigger than little Weedsport. There’s so much more going on and the things that people worry about here in high school don’t mean anything to people out there. So just don’t worry too much and realize that everything works out,”
With graduation slowly approaching, another class of Weedsport students will become the latest group of alumni and the entire community wishes them nothing but the best as they move on from high school. “It will be sad leaving Weedsport and not seeing the people you’ve grown up with every day, but I’ve got my group of friends, and Drew, and I’m ready to move on. You kind of outgrow high school. You know it’s time. And going out West really made me think about how exciting starting the rest of my life will be. It’s time, and it’ll be great.”