As 2025 rolls into 2026, the seniors of Fair Grove High School have finished their first semester and are beginning to move on with their plans for the future.
As graduation gets closer, the seniors all have mixed feelings. Each senior at Fair Grove will walk a different path, whether that means enrolling in college, going to trade school, military service, or going straight into the workforce. Regardless of their decision, everyone is working toward their individual journey.
Sofee Garrett (12), a varsity volleyball player, intends on continuing her education at Fort Scott Community College for Elementary Education. Both of Garrett’s parents attended Fort Scott and knew that volleyball was a high priority for her future endeavors, letting it be a major factor into choosing her college.
Garrett explained, “My parents influenced what I wanted to do after graduation because they both went to Fort Scott and I knew I wanted to continue my athletic career. I decided Fort Scott was the college for me because I loved the campus and their head volleyball coach. I also loved how the town felt like a supportive community, which is exactly what I was wanting in college.”
Gavin Brock (12), a member of the Fair Grove High School band’s percussion, is another student that intends on pursuing higher education with his extracurricular activity in mind. He intends on taking his skills to the next level with Music Technology at Culver Stockton College.
Brock said, “I chose Culver Stockton because of their pursuit of involvement with my career. I have always loved music and will continue this passion by majoring in Music Technology, which was introduced to me by Dr. Kirby at Culver Stockton.”
While some seniors are attending college others are choosing different paths. Taylor Wisely (12), a cheerleader and wrestler at Fair Grove, is going to attend cosmetology school for hair and nails. She shared that she has always loved the environment of a salon and wants to use her abilities and social skills to help customers.
Additionally, other seniors are still undecided on where they want to attend college. Dylan George (12) and Carlen Lepold (12) are both intending on going to college but are still deciding on where. Lepold is planning on majoring in Biology and minoring in Business Management, but is still undecided between Evangel University and College of the Ozarks.
George is also undecided, but one thing he is sure about is becoming a history teacher. He stated, “I plan to major in History Education, because that’s what my dad did and I want to be like him. When I begin my work it will be in a classroom teaching kids about heroes of the past!”
No matter what their plans are after graduation, everyone is working hard towards their goals. Each person’s path is different, but wherever they go next, the Class of 2026 is prepared to soar.
