By Tatianna Gomez-Lucero
One day you are hanging out with friends, going to school, and attending school events. The next day you are at home spending the time of your life with your baby girl and working night shifts at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.
Emma Anderson is one of 36 early graduates this school year. These are seniors who have completed their credits and are no longer required to come to school each day.
Emma’s original plan was to do what any other senior would do: attend school the full year, play sports, go to dances, and enjoy other events. She then planned to take off to college in the fall to pursue nursing.
But, after Emma found out she was pregnant, she decided to do what was best for her and her baby.
She decided to graduate after completing seven semesters and getting her credits. Her parents and counselors agreed to the decision. She left Delta on Oct. 1, 2024.
She later started working at the beginning of November at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital as a Patient Care Assistant (PCA). After a few months, Emma had her baby, Raelynn Grae, on Feb. 3, 2025.
After taking some time off, she decided to work night shifts while her baby was asleep. While Emma works her night shifts, Raelynn stays with her parents and sleeps all night.
Having a baby impacted Emma because it opened her eyes to new opportunities and goals. She said she feels more connected to God, she feels happier despite the situation, and is more open-minded and mentally stronger.
“No matter what happens in life, stay closer to God,” Emma said. “God has everything laid out; he will protect and provide for you. You just need to make the effort to find and stay closer to him.”
Landon Brooks graduated early because he wanted to get a jump start on the competition to play this year to play football. Landon left for Purdue University on Dec. 4, 2024.
Unlike the schedule at Delta, Landon now has practice from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., then takes three to four classes and a study hall, and finally goes to film at 6:10 p.m. for 30 minutes. He repeats this schedule the very next day.
Landon decided to keep playing football because he said “It is the only thing I’ve done my whole life and the only thing I know how to do.”
Football for Landon was the best thing that had happened in his life. “It made me a man in a world full of boys.,” he said.
He said it taught him to always bet on himself and to stay disciplined no matter what. He has learned to work for something he wants and to never give up or listen to any doubters.
“Give your life to Christ and anything is possible,” Brooks said. “All your dreams and desires can come true if you believe with your heart. That will make it happen.”
Yara Carrera wanted to get an early jump on life and pursue her future career path in the medical field as an ultrasound tech. She graduated early and left Delta on Dec. 20, 2024.
She chose the medical field because she likes to help people and it’s always a high-demand job. She is currently working in her family business to save money to attend Ivy Tech in August.
She’ll want to attend Ivy Tech because she doesn’t want to be in debt and doesn’t like big colleges or campuses.
Yara said she doesn’t regret not attending any school events or prom. She’d rather work and make money than go out.
Yara is thinking of her future and trying to set a good example for her siblings by hopefully building a successful life.
Corbin Malchow left Delta in December because he earned the opportunity to become an intern. He moved to Indianapolis where he interns for a non-profit called IARCA (Indiana Association of Resources and Child Advocacy), which is in downtown Indianapolis, right next to the statehouse.
Corbin lives on the east side of Indianapolis, which is about a 10-minute drive from where he works. He chose this job because he wanted to learn more about the Department of Child Services (DCS) and childcare policy.
DCS is an Indiana agency responsible for child welfare and works to keep children safe.
He will be at IARCA until April 14. After that, he plans to attend Indiana University for Law and Public Policy in the fall.
He got interested in politics when he was in third grade. During the time his dad was running for office. His dad is now on the Wes-Del School Board.
Corbin hopes to hold office one day and work on other people’s campaigns. He plans to attend graduation, but it depends if he gets a job out of state.
