Congratulations to the freshly graduated high school seniors! Here's to new adventures and exciting places ahead!
Several high school graduates and faculty members from the Syracuse area have embarked on their college journeys, each with unique plans for their academic futures.
Colin Smyth, a prime power production specialist in the U.S. Army, has chosen to continue his education at a university yet to be specified. His father, Timothy Stewart, holds the position of facilities and security manager for the Libraries. Colin graduated from Chittenango High School.
Riley McFall, daughter of Andrew McFall, an electrician in Facilities Services, is another local graduate. She has enrolled in SUNY Geneseo, where she will major in biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Riley graduated from John C. Birdlebough High School in Phoenix.
Gretchen Conrad, daughter of Rob Conrad, graduated from Canastota High School. She will pursue a degree in fine arts at Alfred University.
Payton Abbott, daughter of Carrie Abbott, graduated from the Syracuse City School District's Corcoran High School. Payton will attend SUNY Geneseo, but her chosen major remains undecided.
Olena Conrad, also a daughter of Rob Conrad, graduated from Canastota High School. She will be undecided in the College of Arts and Sciences at a university yet to be specified.
Collin Powers, son of Jim Powers, assistant director of information technology at the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, and Nolan Wall, son of Kevin Wall, assistant registrar for transfer articulation, both graduated from East Syracuse Minoa High School. Collin will major in esports communication and management, splitting his studies between the Falk College of Sport and the Newhouse School. Nolan will major in television, radio, and film in the Newhouse School.
Emilia Cappers, daughter of Dafni Kiritsis, graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School. She will attend Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts, majoring in illustration. Emilia Cappers is not directly related to any faculty or staff at the university.
Nevaeh Hall, daughter of Kaleya Scott, graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School. She will major in neuroscience in the College of Arts and Sciences at a university yet to be specified.
Cameron Besaw, son of Toni Besaw, graduated from John C. Birdlebough High School in Phoenix. He has decided to join the U.S. Navy.
Mariah Stewart, daughter of Timothy Stewart, facilities and security manager for the Libraries, graduated from Chittenango High School. She has joined the U.S. Army and is a warrant officer in flight training.
Mary McCay, daughter of Deanna McCay, graduated from Cazenovia High School. She will major in communication and film studies at LeMoyne College.
Olivia Ruddy, daughter of Sara Ruddy, administrative assistant at the Syracuse Center of Excellence, graduated from Cazenovia High School. Olivia will major in elementary education at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Jerry Mosqueda III, son of Angela Mosqueda, medical assistant at the Barnes Center at The Arch, graduated from Red Creek High School. He plans to pursue a business/finance degree in the Whitman School of Management at a university yet to be specified.
As for the college education trends, recent data shows a post-pandemic dip and more recent slight rises in freshman enrollment, influenced by factors like FAFSA processing improvements[1]. Women now outnumber men in college enrollment and degree attainment across many nations, with growing female representation in business and other fields[3]. Southern Oregon University offers over 100 academic programs, including majors and minors in areas such as Applied Statistics, Art History, Art, Management (Bachelor of Applied Science), and Biology[2]. Saint Michael's College features over 40 majors and minors, plus graduate programs in Education and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), emphasizing flexibility and mentorship for undergraduate students[4].
While specific information about the chosen majors and higher education institutions of recently graduated high school students directly associated with faculty and staff at a particular university may not be readily available, these trends and general insights into academic offerings and college attendance can provide valuable context. For precise information, one would typically need access to university-specific alumni or institutional records.
Education and self-development continue to be a significant focus for high school graduates and faculty members in the Syracuse area, as they embark on their various college journeys. For instance, Riley McFall, a local graduate, has enrolled in SUNY Geneseo to major in biology, while Emilia Cappers plans to attend Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts, majoring in illustration. These educational choices reflect the wide range of academic options available for students to pursue their interests and pursue their career goals.
