AREA GRADUATES READY TO MEET CHALLENGE; SOME LOOK AHEAD WITH UNCERTAINTY OF COUNTRY'S FUTURE

Following a graduation mass Thursday morning, Notre Dame High School senior Kim Scherer blinked away a few tears.

Friday night, Scherer and her classmates participated in their school's commencement ceremony. Students at Cape Girardeau Central High School graduate June 4.

Despite some sadness at leaving friends, Scherer, like other graduating seniors, believes she is ready for the challenges of life.

The seniors exude confidence in their carefully crafted plans, but underneath, a little uncertainty shows through.

"First, I'm going on a trip to Florida," Scherer said. She and five girlfriends will spend a week on the beach to celebrate graduation.

She said she will attend Southeast Missouri State University in the fall. "I wanted to stay close to home, so SEMO was convenient."

Scherer doesn't have specific career plans. "I'm kind of between psychology and design," she said. "I want to be stable financially, and I would like to raise a family. So I need something I can go in and out of. But most importantly I want to be happy," said the daughter of Sharon and Dennis Scherer.

Charlie Wehner, son of Barb and David Wehner, said: "I'm seeking fame and fortune." But he's not sure what road he will take to get there. "Maybe something in business," he said.

Wehner will attend Southeast Missouri State. "I'll go there for a while. It's kind of a deciding place. I'm not worried about choosing a career or finding a job. I just take things one step at a time."

Ron Fehr, son of Rick and Cathy Fehr, plans to attend Southeast for a year and then transfer to Southwest Missouri State University. He wants to be a sportswriter.

"I get free room and board here," he said. "And money doesn't come that easy. I still wonder where the money will come from."

But Fehr is optimistic. "I'm ready for anything. I'm ready to go.

Lori Maurer, daughter of Jim and Teresa Maurer, said she wants it all: career and family. Now she's got to find a way to get them.

"I'm going to have a lot of fun this summer," she said. "I start Mizzou (University of Missouri) in the fall. I always knew I wanted to go away to college. I think it will be good for me to get away. I may come back here eventually, but I need to get out on my own."

Maurer enjoys math and science. "I'm interested in business and health care," she said. "Maybe I'll be a doctor or an executive."

Meanwhile, she's wistful about graduation. "I'm going to miss my friends," she said. "I'm ready I think. It's time to move on."

"I like to build," said Travis Eckelmann, a senior at Central High and son of Bill and Shireon Eckelmann. "I will be working for Columbia Construction."

Eckelmann is already employed by the company. But this job is just the start of his master plan.

"I'm going to work in commercial construction for a while and then work with someone in residential. Then I plan to start my own company. My teacher told me I'd be crazy not to," he said.

Eckelmann participated in the building trades program at the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School. "I got this job through building trades," he said.

"I could have gone to Linn Technical College and majored in electrical engineering, but I like to build," said Eckelmann.

Facing the future, Eckelmann said he doesn't worry about much of anything. "I believe if you make up your mind you can excel at whatever you want to do. I think this class has a lot of smart people with high expectations. They'll be good. High school has been great, but I'm ready to get started with life."

Classmate Katie Stein, daughter of Neil and Carolyn Stein, will attend the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

"I applied to five schools, but the atmosphere at Chapel Hill just felt right. I know that's kind of vague, but it felt right."

Stein never questioned if she would attend college; the question was where. Now that the decision is made, Stein faces a new, tough choice what career to pursue.

"I think I'll major in international relations," Stein said. Then she paused. "Well, that could change next week. I'm not real sure."

She said people quiz her about career choices and speculate about job opportunities that will be available when she graduates from college. "I probably won't worry about that until the time comes."

Stein has other issues to worry about: She wonders if she's up to the challenge of college coursework and campus life.

"I think I'm ready sometimes I'm not sure. Everybody tells me it's not as hard as I think it is going to be. But I'm not sure I believe them. I have to see for myself."

North Carolina is a long way from home. Stein's grandparents live about an hour and a half from the university, which is a comforting thought to her. "And I'll be home for Christmas," said Stein.

Jenny Scroggins has dreams of children, a good job, a big house and lots of money.

"I'm going to SEMO starting this summer," said Scroggins. "Since we live right here in town, it was a good choice, especially money-wise." She said money was the primary factor in her decision.

She plans to major in psychology and sociology. "It's fascinating," Scroggins said. "I think I want to work with children, and the money is good."

A good, steady income is important to Scroggins. "I'm not going to depend on a man," she said. "I'm going to make sure everything is taken care of. I want to be able to send my kids to college. My mom wasn't able to do that.

"I want to have a big house and all that," she said. "I have confidence it's all waiting ahead."

But for now, Scroggins said making good grades in college is her chief concern. "I have got a grant, and I have to keep my grade ready."

She is the daughter of Carolyn Ford of Cape Girardeau and Sonny Scroggins of Louisiana.

Kathleen "Kit" Williams, daughter of Jo and Doug Williams, will attend Southwest Missouri State and study elementary education.

"I really like the campus. My sister goes there. The dorms are, well, newer. I'm going to live in a suite with six people. I really like that," Williams said.

But then the truth comes out.

"It's away from home," she said. "I think it's important to go away from home. You get to learn your limits. I'm kind of worried about studying and who my roommate will be."

Learning the self-discipline to study when no one is around to remind her has Williams a little concerned. "I don't know if I'll do it," she said. "I tend to procrastinate."

Michelle Morris, daughter of Fay Beal of Cape Girardeau and Larry Morris of Charleston, has been planning to attend Lincoln University since she was a sixth grader.

"It's a good school," Morris said. "My grandmother went there and so did my uncle and aunt."

But just a few months ago Morris amended her plans. She's slated to start beauty school June 15. When that training is complete, she plans to enroll at Lincoln.

"No matter what I decide to major in, I will always have a job," Morris said.

Her mother is a beautician. "I'm used to being around hair. This is an easy way to become a professional and to earn some money."

Morris said she could have gone straight to college, but finances would have been very tight. With a beautician's license, she will be able to work and attend college.

"I never felt I had a choice. I knew I was going. But that's good. I want to experience that college experience," she said. "I'm thinking of majoring in nursing or fashion design."

High school hasn't been all roses for Morris. "But high school has prepared me for different people's attitudes," she said. "And I've learned how to deal with people on a mature level."