High schoolers graduate into tough times
CENTRAL NEW YORK -- Three hundred and eighteen seniors officially bid farewell to their high school years, and the beaming family members of this year's graduating class from Paul V. Moore High School in Central Square, couldn't resist a little boasting.
"She's going to be playing soccer, she got a soccer scholarship and her grades are well up there," said Rich Acchione, a grandfather of a graduate.
"She's graduating in the top 25 of the class. She's been recruited to play lacrosse at Edinborough University," said Linda Magee, one graduate's mother.
"It's wonderful, wonderful. With a national honor and he's got all that, so I'm very proud of him," said Lori Corcoran, another graduate's mother.
While pride is absolutely the number one emotion that parents here feel, there's also a bit of concern among many as economic times are tough but the price of tuition, continues to go up.
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"It's really overbearing for some of these parents. In fact a lot of them have to go to community colleges versus Syracuse University, Penn State, those types of colleges. So it's very tough," said Acchione.
"I work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. That's all I do to pay for school and our house and all that. And the kids, we don't know if there's going to be any support from the state or whatever," said Jeremie Corcoran, a father of a graduate.
With the continuing recession, student aid is now taking a hit. Parents here say while belt-tightening is needed, it shouldn't be in this sector.
"We pay for this and pay for that in other countries and stuff like that. I don't know if there should be more towards our country. Not knocking at other countries but I think they should do more for us, for our children," said Jeremie Corcoran.
Families also worry that the job market will still be slumping by the time college graduation rolls around.
"Nowadays it's hard; it's hard for a kid to find a good job. Even with all the schooling they get," said Darlene Schirm, a graduate's grandmother.
For now though, they're holding onto the optimism that the economy will turn around for the better.