Senior Omar Mejia walked into his counselor’s office to be notified of the future of his high school career. Mejia would not be graduating with the class of 2013.

“I wasn’t surprised. I was expecting it,” he said.

Towards the end of the year, seniors prepare to graduate, but many do not meet the expectations. Reasons for not graduating include excess absences, failing grades, or lack of sufficient credits.

“I need like, four more credits to graduate,” said Mejia.

Senior Juan Lozano will not be graduating because of his construction job. Lozano works four hours each week day and works all weekend.

“I’m too tired. I leave my work supposedly to do tomorrow, but I never do,” he said.

For many the hardest part is telling their parents.

“They were disappointed in me. All they want for me is to graduate, but all I do is work. They always told me to focus on grades, but I would never listen to them,” said Lozano.

Lozano regrets not doing his work and has made a resolution to put school first.

“I’m going to make more time for school, focus on my grades, and get my diploma.Then I can focus on work,” he said.

Senior Joey Dawson will also not be graduating with the class of 2013, but for much different reasons. Dawson began to get high school credit in the seventh grade with zero hour classes that allowed him to skip a grade and be a senior this year, rather than a junior.

“I talked to Dr. Brackett about concurrent credits, which is how you get high school and college credits all at the same time,” said Dawson.

Dawson did this to graduate a year earlier and join the military. Dawson will be graduating in August or October 2013.

Senior Adan Morales came very close to not graduating with his class.

“I needed half a credit to graduate. Even if I did all my classes, it wouldn’t have been enough to graduate,” said Morales.

Morales took classes online at Brigham Young University in order to do independent study. Morales picked a half credit course and finished it within a week and a half. After taking the exam, BYU sent a transcript to school, giving Morales enough credits to graduate.

“I was happy that I get to graduate, and I don’t have to go to school again,” said Morales.

After his experience, Mejia has some advice for other students.

“I regret not doing work and missing days,” Mejia said. “Stop acting dumb and start doing work because it’s not worth it to miss class all the time because you wanted to leave school.”