With graduation fast approaching, the CCS seniors have big plans and bright futures ahead of them. Many Carmel seniors are attending the same colleges, and The Blue & Gold wanted to highlight the appeal of these popular schools! Along with this, some CCS seniors are attending schools across the country. The Blue & Gold is taking an inside look into the future of Carmel Christian graduates.

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Appalachian State University:

• Future Mountaineers: Lakyn Fletcher, Ava Shroff, Sarah Salter, Asher Wood, Mary Quinn McIntyre, Mac McLemore, Brandon Hoiby and Gabrielle Goenaga

  

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, North Carolina. It is known for its beautiful views of the Blue Ridge mountains and its location in the heart of the mountain range. App State has strong athletics (specifically football), a diverse student body and innovative teaching that offers higher-education opportunities.
• Ava Shroff is majoring in History and stats, “I am very excited and happy to see what my future will be like at App State. I’m ready for a change of scenery and a fresh start on this campus.”
• Lakyn Fletcher is majoring in Nursing in the fall. She expresses, “I cannot wait for a new environment and to be around people with all different outlooks on life. I think it will be a good time to learn more about myself and those around me in a new, creative environment. I am also so excited just to be up in the beautiful mountains and be able to be outside in nature more.”

Auburn University:

• Future Tigers: Dylan Wilson, Gianna Sen, Ainsley Brown, Harrison Banker and Zach Watterson

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  Auburn University is located in Auburn, Alabama. The city of Auburn is a historic college town and is also Alabama’s fastest growing metropolitan area. Auburn University is known for teaching excellence, offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in the arts and sciences, agriculture, architecture, business, engineering, nursing, pharmacy and veterinary medicine.

• Ainsley Brown is majoring in Nursing at Auburn. She states, “I am so excited to go to Auburn because of the welcoming environment and Christian presence on campus.”
• Zach Watterson is majoring in Mechanical Engineering in the fall. He expresses, “I’m super excited to spend my next four years there. I love the campus and have never heard a bad review of it.”

Biola University:

• Future Eagles: Janessa Liu and Kylee Peebles
• Biola University is a Christian university located in La Mirada, California, thirty minutes away from Los Angeles.

  

  This school combines the beauty of California, access to higher education and a faith-focused college experience. It is recognized for its academic programs in areas like film, business, science and education. 

• Janessa Liu is majoring in Elementary Education. She states, “Biola was definitely God sent. Everything about LA is refreshing and just what I’ve ever wanted. I look forward to majoring in Elementary Education and meeting new people. I plan to be a Kindergarten teacher in the future so that I can show children the love of Jesus. Go Eagles!”
• Kylee Peebles is planning on majoring in Cinema and Media Arts. She explains, “Biola is a school built on the belief that students should have the opportunity to minister on the West Coast. The film program is the number one Christian film program in the states and stands apart as being a way for students to work to glorify God. Overall, I truly can’t wait for the opportunities to share the gossip through film and experience and be challenged by the West Coast.”

High Point University:

• Future Panthers: Grace Hawley, Kennedy Bryant, Brantley Anderson, Sam Holding, Chandler Little and Ethan Caldwell
• High Point University is located in High Point, North Carolina and is known for its beautiful campus. They are viewed as one of the nicest campuses in the country by the Princeton review, and they take pride in the quality of their housing options.

  

  Along with providing a brilliant education and preparation for the future of their students, High Point offers many luxuries on campus. They have a massive basketball court, the dorm rooms are larger than normal dorm spaces, classical music plays as you walk on the sidewalks, fountains are scattered throughout the campus and many different restaurants and amenities are located within walking distance.

• Brantley Anderson is majoring in Exercise Science in the fall. He states, “I’m really looking forward to attending High Point in the fall! The beautiful campus environment and positive atmosphere are two things I’m looking forward to the most.”
• Grace Hawley explains, “High Point cultivates an environment that supports students who don’t know what they want to do which is really helpful for me since I want to explore all my options! I’m excited to go!”

Samford University:

• Future Bulldogs: Carson Russell, Reily Anderson, Elizabeth Abbott and Anna Foster
• Samford University is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and is a nationally ranked Christian university. It is known for its strong athletic programs, undergraduate programs in liberal arts, career preparation and integrating Christian values into a college experience. The town of Birmingham is also incredibly beautiful and offers many different activities off-campus. 
• Reily Anderson is planning to attend Samford University with a major in Exercise Science. She states, “I’m really excited to attend Samford because I’ve only heard good things about it, and I know the previous Carmel students who go there love it. The campus is beautiful, and I’m really excited to be involved with a bunch of student engagement opportunities like Greek Life and Step-Sing!”

  

University of Kentucky:

• Future Wildcats: Anna McCartney and Molly Griffin
• The University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, Kentucky. It is known for its academic excellence, particularly in its engineering program and business programs. They have a brilliant basketball program, known for its NCAA championships and passionate fans. The campus life is vibrant at Kentucky, and they have opportunities for involvement in a variety of different activities. 
• Molly Griffin states, “Growing up, I have always been a Kentucky fan. I would go to football and basketball games with my family as a kid. When I started the college process, I always knew I wanted to go there. I am very excited to be heading there in the fall! One of the things I am looking forward to is tailgating before football games, joining CRU (Christian organization) and going to basketball games. Another thing I am looking forward to is going to horse races. Down the road from the campus is a big horse racing track, and on the weekend, all of the students will go! I am excited for this next stage of my life.”
• Anna McCartney is majoring in Nursing. She explains, “Go Wildcats! I am so excited to be at Kentucky next year because of their strong nursing program, the excitement around sports and the people there are so welcoming. I am also excited to explore a new area.” 

University of North Carolina at Charlotte:

• Future 49ers: Cole Cassle, James Edgerton, Katie Kovalenko, Cody Smith, Taylor Warren, Ryan Andrade and Jayden Francis
• The University of North Carolina at Charlotte provides a wonderful education and offers Carmel students a chance to stay closer to their home. It is located near Uptown Charlotte. UNCC is an opportunity to save money while also gaining higher-level education and a plethora of opportunities for future careers. 
• Cole Cassle is planning to major in Electrical Engineering. He says, “I am excited to go because I love Charlotte, and I’m happy to spend more time here.”

The senior class of 2025 has bright futures ahead of them. Whether they are going to one of the few colleges represented here, elsewhere in the state or taking a different path outside of college, each student is sure to succeed with the work ethic and aptitude for greatness that Carmel has taught them.