The Sage Informer

The future is approaching the class of 2025 as they finish up their last semester of high school. Deciding where to go and what to do is an intimidating step for our seniors, but is also equally exciting. 

As graduation gets closer by the day, the question of what everybody’s post-high school plans are has become a frequent topic of discussion. Though some seniors are still unsure of what their plans are, many are proudly committed. From going out of state, to committing to college sports, and even enlisting into the military, the class of 2025 has it all.

Most students decided to stay close to home, whether that be at the University of Illinois, Parkland College, or Illinois State College. Senior Alice Swanson shared her plans: “I plan on going to UIUC in the fall. I’ve wanted to go here since I was little partially because my dad works there. Both of my sisters have also gone to UIUC now so it seems like the right path for me to take. I’m looking forward to branching out and making new friends. I’d like to gain many more experiences and try something new!”

Senior Eric Arnold has also made the choice to stay close to home. “I’m planning on going to Parkland (College) for a construction course. I wanted to do this because I love to work hands-on with things. I’m most looking forward to meeting new people and creating new relationships.” 

On the other hand, many beloved seniors plan on going out-of-state to explore what other places have in store for them. As a future tiger, senior Violet Bailey expressed, “I am going to attend the University of Missouri this fall! Mizzou has a great campus, school spirit, and business program, so those three factors really made my decision easy. I am most looking forward to being a part of the Cornell Leadership Program at Mizzou, where I can study business around the country!”

Along with the excitement of new adventures approaching comes plenty of nerves. Senior Cody Ball, who will be attending Purdue University for pharmaceutical sciences, shared, “I am super nervous about the difficulty of my classes and trying to make new friends. In high school I’ve been taking lots of dual credit classes to prepare for both the difficulty of college classes, as well as get some credits to lighten my workload next year.”

Bailey relates with this anxiety and said, “I am most concerned about being homesick because Mizzou is four hours away. It will definitely be an adjustment.”

Overall, MHS’ seniors are prepared and ready for this new beginning. Senior Tatum Wichus, who is feeling plenty of enthusiasm for this next step, expressed, “The campus of SLU (Saint Louis University) is beautiful. I felt very welcomed by staff and students when I visited, and they have one of the top forensic science programs in the country! I am most looking forward to making new friends and learning more about myself!”

The list below is the commitments of our seniors so far. Good luck to the class of 2025 as they finish up their last semester and prepare for the future ahead of them!

Commitments:

• Alice Swanson- University of Illinois
• Aliyah Ellison- Olivet Nazarene University
• Aubree Oberheim- Grace College
• Audrey Shore- United States Air Force
• Andrew Neef- Millikin University
• Annika Wright- Parkland College 
• Avery Hoffmeister- University of Kentucky
• Bella Dunlap- Illinois State University
• Braxton Tharp- Parkland College
• Brianna Morgan- Parkland College
• Bri LeGrande- Parkland College
• Caleb Wood- University of Illinois
• Cannon Ureno- Illinois State University
• Colton Vance- Augustana College
• Connor Kuntz- University of Illinois 
• Catie Swartz- Butler University
• Danielle Dasher- University of South Carolina
• Elle Bodznick- University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
• Eli Craft- John A Logan College
• Eric Arnold- Parkland College
• Grant Young- Illinois State University
• Hannah Evans- Millikin University 
• Hannah Tish- Bradley University
• Ike Young- University of Illinois
• Jacob McFarland- Parkland College
• Kali Wright- Butler University
• Kaylin Murphy- University of Kentucky
• Kennadi Zindars- Parkland College
• Kinsley Neighbors- University of Missori
• Kross Reynolds- Illinois State University
• Lauren Kraus- Illinois State University
• Livi Lubbers- Parkland College
• Lynette Fenelon- Illinois State University
• Macy Printy- Kenyon College
• Maddux Quick- Heartland Community College
• Mara Dorjahn- Lake Land College
• Megan Allen- Illinois Wesleyan University
• Pearl Glaze- University of Illinois
• Sierrah Downey- Greenville University
• Sylvia Miller- Point Loma University
• Tatum Wichus- Saint Louis University
• Taylor Simnick- Parkland College
• Trey Leynes- Parkland College
• Vanya Zuniga- Parkland College 
• Violet Bailey- University of Missouri
• Will Trimble- Vincennes University

Avery Hoffmeister, Staff Writer

hofav25@sages.us