Goffstown High School will graduate more than 250 seniors on June 23. Four years’ worth of hard work and balance between academics and extracurricular activities will be formally recognized in front of hundreds of proud family members, loved ones and friends.

Amidst the sense of accomplishment though, a heavy question lingers: Now what?

Finding a secure job has become an arduous task in today’s economic climate. Summer jobs are being swallowed up by the many by adults who were able to get by without the extra wages a year ago. Struggling businesses are hesitant to bite off more than they can chew while they try to remain afloat in the turbulent waters of economic crisis, so fewer local jobs are being offered. While the adults around them struggle to retain some normalcy in life, graduating seniors are searching for options of their own.

For many, the answer will be college. Traditionally, somewhere around 80 percent of Goffstown High School graduates continue their education at either a two- or a four-year institution. Last year, though, that percentage fell to around 76 percent, its lowest point in recent memory. With the curbusesrent financial situation, projections are slightly lower still for the Class of 2009. Despite the decline, however, college is still the path of choice for the majority of Goffstown students.

Paying for a college education promises to pose the biggest threat to degree-seeking graduates. The ever-increasing tuitions of American post-secondary institutions loom large, especially when considering the present economic backdrop.

The mind-boggling price tag of college courses coupled with the dearth of part-time job opportunities has sparked concern among seniors and their families. Mark Scimone, who will attend Macalester College in Minnesota starting in the fall, experienced firsthand the effects of the struggling economy when he applied for a job at a local ice cream stand this spring. Scimone, who was more than qualified for the position, was left searching for other options when he was informed the business had hired two adults ahead of him.

“It was frustrating,” he said, “With the economy (how it is), it’s hard to find jobs now.” Goffstown senior and salutatorian Nick Aubut admits the economic downturn made him consider changing his plans. Though positive he would enroll as a college freshman in the fall, Aubut said he had to re-evaluate his intended area of academic focus.

“(The economy) made me think over what I was planning to study,” said Aubut. “I even thought about going into politics, but I decided to stay with engineering.”

Aubut will begin his college career in the fall at the University of New Hampshire.

Some soon-to-be graduates have decided that college can wait, or not happen at all.

“I … have a couple seniors putting off college to go either to the military first or do a year of service with City Year (an Americorps program). Both of these options give an educational stipend,” said Goffstown High School guidance counselor Joyce Lewis.

These “Gap Year” options offer students a chance to gain skills and experience, as well as earn money toward their postponed educations. Lewis speculates that the economy has led to an increase in the popularity of these alternatives.