Leaving the halls: A conversation with graduating high school seniors

What this episode covers

Thousands of graduating high school seniors are getting ready to take their next steps into young adulthood. Most of them were in middle school when a public health emergency was declared because of COVID-19 in Indiana, closing schools, restaurants, and public gatherings. The 2025 cohort saw President Donald Trump elected to office in 2016, when they would have been about 9 years old. Some of them voting age now, saw the nation re-elect him this year. The 2025 high school graduating class, born in 2006 and 2007, is seeing increased discussion around AI use, concerns of a coming recession, and progress in gene therapy treatments. Renewable energy is rapidly on the rise, and renewable energy generation surpassed coal for the first time just a couple years ago. The Harvard Youth poll notes shifting priorities for younger generations: fewer say they want to have children. And about 19 percent trust the federal government to do the right thing most of the time. This week we’ll talk with graduating high school seniors about their plans and expectations. Join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to [email protected].   You can also record your questions and send them in through email. Guests   Gage Shrader, Columbus East High School Fallyn Conway, Martinsville High School Sara Carmona, Bloomington High School South Karter Kikendall, Columbus East High School