Life is about the choices a person makes. As people grow older, they gain responsibilities depending on what path they take. During senior year, students take responsibility by deciding what to do after high school. There are many options for students after high school that can help them realize their dreams. Whether they choose a military academy or a culinary school, theses seniors all have one thing in common: the power to decide.
Will Scott
Q. Where are you going?
College of the Albemarle for two years then moving down to Florida with a couple of friends.
Q. What are you doing?
Working on my hip-hop career.
Q. What events in your past helped you decide on this path?
Every day I would listen to hip-hop and turn off everything around me. I started to wonder if I could rap at all, so at the beginning of ninth grade I practiced songs every day to improve my skill, enunciation, pronunciation and speed. Sophomore year I recorded my first song and it started from there. I have improved since then and hit rough patches, but have also learned many lessons in what I have to do as a hip-hop artist.
Q. Why is it important to follow your own path after high school?
This path is what I’m supposed to go for. Hip-hop is what I’m supposed to do. If I quit hip-hop I have nothing left to go for. This is my plan.
Chandler Jernigan
Q. Where are you going?
Johnson & Wales University Charlotte Campus.
Q. What are you doing?
Baking and Pastry Arts, Culinary Arts and Business.
Q. What events in your past helped you decide on this path?
When I was younger I was always in the kitchen. Working as an assistant pastry chef at a local restaurant for the past three years has really expanded my knowledge when it comes to my chosen career path. Having the experience of working in a high-quality restaurant has ultimately been the extra push that had me choosing to attend culinary school rather than a normal university.
Q. Why is it important to follow your own path after high school?
I believe it is very important to not only create a plan that allows you to be able to support yourself in life, but also that you enjoy the steps along the way.
Joseph Lupetin
Q. Where are you going?
The United States Military Academy at West Point in West Point, N.Y.
Q. What are you doing?
I will leave in July and go to the academy for four years to become an officer in the U.S. Army.
Q. What events in your past helped you decide on this path?
My grandfather served in the army in the Second World War and was a very inspirational figure in my life. I always wanted to be an army officer and this was the best way to become one.
Q. Why is it important to follow your own path after high school?
After graduating high school, you are free to make your own decisions. You should embrace your ability to make those decisions and use them to accomplish your goals.
Daniel Spruill
Q. Where are you going?
I am attending N.C. State University this fall.
Q. What are you doing?
I will be going into the First-Year Program to decide what area I want to go into for a degree. I am really thinking about mechanical or environmental engineering.
Q. What events in your past helped you decide on this path?
It was the time that I spent designing and building the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) with my (ROV) teammates that really instilled an interest in the mechanical features of machines. When we got fourth in worlds that year it only made me more certain and ever since I have been intrigued by computers, machines and architecture wherever I see them.
Q. Why is it important to follow your own path after high school?
It’s important because allows me to go into something I am interested in and excited about. If you try to do something else, you will only regret it for the rest of your life.
