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Tuesday, May. 12, 2009

Some teens delay the college experience

Teens across Middle Georgia finally have received college acceptance and rejection letters, and some teens have been put on many college wait lists.

But not everyone wants the cookie cutter college ride. Some choose not to attend college or delay the experience.

“I am going to college, just not right now,” said Hunter Sapp, a high school graduate who lives in Reynolds. “My plans are to go to the Air Force Academy. Because of the fact that I am going into the military, my father wants me to wait ’til I am 21 to make that decision.”

Until then, Sapp, 18, said he is learning a trade in construction.

“I can’t say I really enjoy my job, but I am blessed to have a job, especially one I can use as a backup in the future,” he said.

For many seniors, college is the next logical step. Nearly 70 percent of 2008 high school graduates were enrolled in a college or university in October 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.

“It’s always been expected that I go to college,” said Robert Elliot, a senior at Stratford Academy who will attend Samford University. “My mom and dad were both first generation college students, so they value education. And I have a more traditional, analytical mind, not a business savvy one, so I need the resources provided in college and eventually, graduate school to be successful.”

Some schools, such as Hutchings Career Center, help prepare students for careers after high school.

“Students at our school are given quality academics while they study their specialized career interests. In this year’s graduating class, we have students who are going into the automotive, health-care and culinary arts industries, among others,” said Ron McCall, Hutchings’ principal.

About 93 percent of Hutchings students are enrolled in technical and academic programs, he said.

Eliza Blackman, a senior at Stratford Academy, also is delaying college.

She said she will go to Paris, France, for a year to study independently. However, she has a place in the 2010 freshman class at New York University when she gets back.

“I’ll be a 20-year-old freshman in college,” she said.

Lisa Suh is a senior at Stratford Academy. Jayne McGaughey is a junior at Veritas Classical School.