Three Ukrainian teens begin their final year of high school holding onto hopes for the future

Associated Press

UZHHOROD, Ukraine (AP) — For Ukraine’s 16-year-olds, September marks the beginning of their final year of high school, a pivotal time for any student. But these teens have more than just grades and university choices on their minds: They’re grappling with the realities of war. One student, still haunted by memories of his hometown in the Luhansk region, struggles to adapt to life in Kyiv after surviving the occupation. Homesickness lingers, a constant reminder of what he left behind. Two other teens struggle to choose future professions. They carefully make plans for the future while navigating through daily threats from Russian guided bombs and missiles in their front-line cities.