Some seniors take a different angle on continuing education

Sarah Brown, Feature Department Editor
April 5, 2011
Filed under Spotlights

When approximately 87% of last year’s Chardon High School’s graduating seniors go on to pursue a degree in either a four year (65%) or a two year (22%) college, it can be difficult to imagine that not every senior at CHS has chosen to continue their education. There are many different options for students who have chosen not to go to a regular college.

Some seniors forgo more schooling and enter right into the workforce; many of these students have already spent two years at Auburn Career Center getting certified for their future careers in a wide array of areas. Cosmetology, Wielding, Automotive, Culinary, Emergency Medical Services, Construction, HVAC, and Landscaping all allow students to begin their career right away upon their completion at Auburn. Cailey Hlinovsky, a cosmetology student at Auburn is ready to live on her own and has already made arrangements for an apartment and is currently looking for a job at a salon after she graduates. “I’m excited to be living on my own. I can’t wait to graduate,” she says. Also in Cosmetology, Tori Allen is taking what she has learned in her program at Auburn to help her pay for the ever-increasing college expenses. Tom Garring, who is interested in becoming an electrician, has been working to find an apprenticeship with an electrician.

Brittany Weir, from the Class of 2010, deferred college for a year and is currently an exchange student with the Rotary’s exchange program in Belgium. Although it’s not for everyone, Brittany had wanted to do an exchange in high school, but didn’t want to miss out on her high school experience. Gap year options, like Brittany’s exchange, “are good for students who might not know exactly what they want to pursue in college, or students who want a break between high school and college,” says Brittany’s mother, CHS guidance counselor Mrs. Weir.

Although she is enrolling in a four-year college, Kristen Liggett’s college experience will be very different from many of her classmates. Kristen has enrolled in the Naval Academy, in order to achieve her goal of becoming a naval pilot. She had originally wanted to go to the Air Force Academy, but after visiting the Academy she decided that it wasn’t quite what she wanted. Although it won’t be a normal college experience, Kristen is excited for this fall. Kristin is not the only one who has opted for a military education, other CHS students, include Nick Molnar, who is joining the Marines and Tom Diehl, who will be attending the Coast Guard Academy next fall. “I’m excited, I go to boot camp on June 6,” Nick says about his future.

Although not every senior has chosen the same path, one thing is true: as Hilltoppers, each one is sure to succeed.

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