Olivia Mulley at Hillsdale College

High school graduation is a major milestone. Often, it is combined with celebration of success and nervousness about the future. We recently spoke with three 2016 State High graduates willing to share their personal journeys and offering advice to current students.

Anthony Degleris attends Stanford University and plans to study electrical engineering. So far, Degleris has met new friends, sought out new opportunities, and has become involved in clubs and groups that reflected his high school experience.

“My high school track experience has stayed with me and running still remains a large part of my life,” he explains. Academically, Degleris was unsure of how he would measure up. “To be honest, I was incredibly nervous and unsure if I would be able to keep up academically. However, it turned out that State High prepared me exceptionally well and I feel confident about my academic preparation.”

When asked about advice for the incoming senior class, Degleris tells them, “Do things that are meaningful to you and don’t worry about what everyone thinks. College is an opportunity to really be yourself.”

During her time at State High, Olivia Mulley was focused on academics and her study of classical ballet. Taking AP and advanced courses whenever possible, she excelled in school. Mulley now attends Hillsdale College, a small liberal arts school in Michigan, and is planning to major in mathematics. She is considering a minor in philosophy and religion.

Looking back, Mulley finds that high school has prepped her well. “I was very focused and disciplined. This helped me prepare for the challenges of college.” Mulley’s course load at State High allowed her to be placed in higher levels of college classes, skipping several courses required for her major. “I am already decently far along, and this will likely allow me to fulfill my academic requirements before the full four years,” she explains.

Mulley reminds students not to be discouraged during the college application process. “Remember, there is an element of luck involved as to who makes it into which schools. If facing a rejection or waitlist, try to remember that a failure to get into a school does not equate to a failure of an application and certainly not a failure of the student!”

Rosaleen Mao Xiong

Not all students go to college right away. Some enter the workforce and others take time after graduation. Rosaleen Mao Xiong decided to take a path different from many of her classmates. “I did fairly well in high school, but I always struggled to find meaning in my learning. This contributed to my decision to pursue an alternate path after graduation.”

Xiong was accepted to Penn State and the University of Texas at Austin, but decided to serve a year with City Year, an AmeriCorps program, in San Antonio, working in an urban K-8 school. “I wanted to experience more of the world outside of State College before attending college,” she explains. Xiong has already benefited from this experience. “I’ve had the honor of witnessing how much my students thrive when given opportunity. Their successes remind me just how important it is to find meaning in any work I do.”

On taking a path less traveled, Xiong didn’t hesitate, knowing she was making the right choice for herself. “Don’t be afraid of an unconventional path. My experience has given me the space to explore my interests and talents before moving on to the rest of my educational and professional careers.”

So, whatever path is chosen, lifelong skills and experiences are ready to be had. Follow the right path, regardless of what others do. High school experiences and education will take a student far, but hard work and focus must continue to achieve success.