Like many at Francis Howell North, Taylor Ousley is just one of the 426 seniors that is prepared to graduate on June 4 at the Family Arena with the class of 2016.

Ousley has attended Henderson Elementary, Hollenbeck Middle and Francis Howell North High School– a Howell student her whole life.

“Graduating high school is going to be so bittersweet,” Ousley said. “I’ve gone to school with so many of these people for so long, it’s going to be weird not seeing their faces every day.”

Ousley will be attending the University of Missouri, Columbia (Mizzou) in the fall of 2016. She plans to study Animal Sciences and eventually become a veterinarian. She has dreamt of becoming a veterinarian since she was six, when she got her dog Spotty.

“He inspired me to want to help better the lives of not only my pets, but all animals,” Ousley said.

Although becoming a veterinarian requires at least eight years of schooling, Ousley has already made several efforts to start preparing for her future. Ousley frequently shadows at her dog’s vet, Elm Point. She also spends her free time volunteering at the local animal shelter, 5 Acres.

“The Veterinarian program is very competitive at Mizzou so I want to make sure I take advantage of all the opportunities that I can,” Ousley said.

The graduation ceremony will be held at the Family Arena on June 4. It will begin promptly at 10 a.m. The class of 2016’s motto is: “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”

“I’m excited to graduate and finally take on the next chapter in my life. I am more than ready to start pursuing my career,” Ousley said.