BEA seniors Cass Davis, left, Zach Benson, center, and Tori Oswald, right, are three of the 74 students who make up BEA’s Class of 2023.

On June 4, 74 Blue Earth Area seniors will gather one last time to don their caps and gowns, receive their diplomas, and say goodbye to Blue Earth Area High School.

Many of these students have been classmates since they started Kindergarten in the fall of 2010. However, this summer will mark a divergence in their paths.

The Class of 2023’s post-graduation plans will scatter them throughout the Midwest – from Minnesota to Wisconsin to South Dakota to Iowa.

If anything, their varied visions for the future prove there is no ‘right’ way to embark upon adulthood.

Attending college in

Minnesota

Fifty-eight BEA graduates plan to attend college after receiving their diplomas in June. Forty-six of those students will pursue their post-secondary education in their home state of Minnesota.

The choice is hardly a limiting one. BEA’s graduates are enrolled in a wide array of Minnesota’s educational, technical and vocational programs.

Some students, including senior Cass Davis, have already chosen a career path. Davis decided years ago that he would like to work in law enforcement.

Next fall, he will attend Minnesota North College’s Vermilion Campus in Ely to major in criminal justice. He was attracted to the campus as it is where his brother studied to become a law enforcement officer.

“There is such a lack of law enforcement,” Davis observes. “It is such a great way to serve the community, build relationships and build trust.” 

Forty-five additional members of the Class of 2023 have chosen to attend a cumulative 15 different schools in Minnesota.

Ten BEA seniors will attend South Central College, four will attend Riverland Community College and two will attend Minnesota West Community and Technical College.

Willmar’s Ridgewater College, Alexandria Technical & Community College and Brainerd’s Central Lakes College will each welcome a BEA graduate in the fall, as well.

Minnesota State University-Mankato has proven a popular choice for this year’s seniors, with 11 BEA grads planning to attend next semester. Six students will attend the University of Minnesota, although they will be scattered among its campuses in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester and Crookston.

Other public school choices include Minnesota State University Moorhead and Winona State University.

Six seniors have chosen to attend private Minnesota colleges, including Saint John’s University, Bethany Lutheran College, Rasmussen College, The College of St. Scholastica and Hamline University.

Like many of his classmates who will be stretching their wings in a different town after graduation, Davis is excited to meet new people in Ely.

However, he says he will regret seeing many of his classmates for the last time after crossing the stage at graduation.

“The moment you get that diploma, you know that’s it,” he observes.

Attending college

out-of-state

Twelve BEA graduates will call a new state ‘home’ when they leave the nest this fall. These travelers will still remain in the Midwest, however.

Six seniors are attending schools in Iowa. Three will study at Iowa State University, and the remaining three will attend Hawkeye Community College, Des Moines Area Community College and North Iowa Area Community College.

One student has chosen to attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Finally, five students will study in South Dakota, attending Southeast Technical College, South Dakota State University and Lakes Area Technical College.

One of those students is senior Tori Oswald, who has been accepted at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

Oswald plans to follow in her parents’ footsteps and pursue a career in engineering. Her mother is a mechanical engineer and her father is a civil engineer, and Oswald herself would like to study chemical engineering.

“Growing up, engineering was just something we did in the house,” Oswald explains. “I want to help the environment, and that’s something I think I can do with chemical engineering.”

Overall, Oswald is ready for a change.

“I’m looking forward to finding myself and being independent, and meeting new people,” she says. “Finding more diverse people to talk to.” 

Entering the workforce

Fifteen BEA graduates plan to get a jump start on the job market, which offers a veritable smorgasbord of job opportunities at the moment.

BEA senior Zach Benson intends to enter the workforce as a means of keeping his future options open.

“I don’t want to commit myself to anything I might regret later,” Benson says.

He adds he is still open to the possibility of attending college in the future, but first he wants a better idea of the career path he would like to pursue.

He says he is looking forward to the freedom to make his own choices post-graduation.

“Just getting to do what I want, when I want,” Benson explains.

Enlisting in the military

One BEA graduate has chosen to enlist in the military following their graduation on June 4.

Whether they are joining the military, training for a specific vocation or studying to earn a degree, it seems the sky is the limit for the Class of 2023.

As for BEA’s future graduates? Some soon-to-be alumni have a little advice for them.

Davis, Oswald and Benson all agree that high school flies by quickly, and they urge younger students to make the most of it.

“It goes by so, so, so fast,” Oswald insists, recalling the surreal experience of realizing she was attending her last-ever Homecoming pep rally, or walking in her last-ever Grand March at Prom.

Oswald also advises, “Focus on getting the education you need, not the grade you want. Our teachers are great.” 

“Don’t worry about the small issues right now,” Davis adds. “Don’t let them eat you up.” 

And, Benson concludes, “Enjoy the moments while you’re in them. Take it in slow. It’s not going to happen again.”