Central seniors agree: It’s hard to say goodbye

By Leslie McCartney of The Montana Standard - 05/29/2007

Nathan Scheidecker and Rachael Orizotti stand recently in Central’s rotunda. Both are seniors graduating from Central Tuesday. Walter Hinick / The Montana Standard

Nathan Scheidecker and Rachael Orizotti, both 18, have had 13 years of school together — including four years of high school.

“We’ve known each other since kindergarten,” said Orizotti.

But after years of serving on student council, cutting up in accounting class and seeing each other every school day, it’s time for the two to say goodbye to each other and their close-knit classmates.

“I’m going to be sad; I’m going to miss everybody,” Orizotti said of Tuesday night’s Butte Central graduation that will send 33 seniors their separate ways. “But I’m excited.” Scheidecker, who had a bad case of senioritis in May, is ready for a new challenge.

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Continued from Page A1 “I’m pretty excited. I’m more than ready to leave high school,” he said.

Both Butte natives, who have earned 3.9 grade point averages and scholarships to college, are readying for new lives come this fall.

Scheidecker will move to Helena where he will attend Carroll College, but is unsure yet what he wants to study.

Orizotti, after originally setting her sights on Gonzaga University, has selected the University of Oregon, lured by its strong dance program. Even though she is moving out of Butte for the first time since she was born, she has a nearby support system.

“My brother lives about an hour away, so if I get homesick, I’ll go there,” she said.

Both seniors lauded the education they have received at Central in helping them prepare for life after high school. They both said attending a smaller school has given them the time and space to get to know everyone — from teachers to students.

“I like that everyone knows each other,” Orizotti said. “Of course, there’s pros and cons to that.” After college, the sky’s the limit.

“I’ll probably stay in state, I like Montana,” Scheidecker said.

And as for his career plans?

“Hmm, I’m not old enough to be the president,” Scheidecker joked, saying he would settle for being Speaker of the House.

Orizotti said she will study business and knows where she wants to live — San Diego.

“Hopefully, I’ll have a job,” she said.

— Reporter Leslie McCartney may be reached at leslie.mccartney@mtstandard.com