College Adventure: Seniors Going South

As the school year comes to a close, everyone is ready for summer. For seniors, though, this summer is going to be a little different as the fall will bring a new challenge. Many are going to college, some trade school, and some are planning on joining the military or going directly into the workforce.

For those going to college, a unique 4-year journey lies ahead. Some students have chosen to venture down south for school, and here are some of their stories.

As Grant poses in the dugout of his future team, the Saints are excited to welcome him to the campus of Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL.

Grant Blomeke

Grant has committed to Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL. Grant always wanted to go south for college, “I love the weather down there and enjoy myself more.” Flagler also gave Grant the opportunity to pursue his passion, with a spot on the baseball team, “One of my main goals was to go somewhere south for college and baseball gave me that opportunity.” Grant will be living in Flagler’s athlete dorm, where he will be matched with another baseball player to room with. When asked about what gives him the confidence to move far from home, he said, “Don’t be scared. If you have the opportunity and do want it, don’t let your fears get in the way of it because you will find and create a family wherever you go.”

Grant plans on pursuing a degree in Finance.

Ethan Brose

Ethan Brose poses for a picture next to the picturesque Walk of Champion arch, an integral part of the football traditions of Ole Miss.

Ethan has committed to the University of Mississippi, “Ole Miss,” in Oxford, Mississippi. Ethan also knew wanted to go somewhere south, especially for the weather. “I also wanted to be at least a few hours from home. The only rule I had was that I wasn’t going to go west of the Mississippi. So, I basically went as far west as I possibly could.” Ethan said Ole Miss made the choice easy for him, giving him the most academic money out of all the schools he applied for, and offering a culture that made him feel right at home. “As soon as I stepped foot on the Ole Miss campus, I knew it was where I was going.” Ethan is excited about all the baseball and football games as well as what the small town of Oxford has to offer. But more than anything, he is excited about Greek Life.

According to Chris Wuensch of Saturday Down South, upwards of 40% of the Ole Miss student body is involved in Greek Life, making it the second highest percentage in the SEC. Ethan said, “The Greek Life at Ole Miss goes unmatched to any other school I have seen. The events, houses, communities, it’s all something I wanted to experience.”

Ethan will be living in a traditional dorm with a roommate whom he initially met over social media and met in person at Ole Miss’s admitted student day. “Making friends in preparation of going far is not hard at all. There are Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat groups for you to join that are all people in the same boat as you. My roommate is from Pennsylvania, some of my friends are from Cleveland, Illinois, and California.” Ethan said that it’s really not an issue traveling this far away for him, saying that familiarity is his biggest concern, “There are a lot of things that other people will be like ‘How do you not know this or that…’[but] it’s really not an issue if you get involved on social media and go to events that the college is hosting for you.”

Ethan plans on pursuing a degree in Banking and Finance.

Griffin Clark

Griffin Clark has committed to the University of Alabama. He will be attending the main campus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Griffin said that the culture and environment drew him south, but worries of missing home always crossed his mind. Another concern for Griffin was missing his friends, but he said that that was not going to hold him back. “I wanted to go somewhere south for awhile, it was just a matter of what school fit me best…Experiencing a different culture and the opportunity to do something that not many kids in the grade are doing [drew me there].” Griffin said he was also drawn by the great football program that Alabama has, as well as Greek Life. Griffin plan to room in a quad (4 person) dorm on campus with roommates from California, Maryland, and North Carolina. “You bound to meet people that share the same interests as you…don’t be afraid of going somewhere out of your comfort zone.”