Schools

EHS Alumni Reflect on College Life

Nine graduates chat with students and parents about college experiences, expectations, and what to prepare for both before and after graduation.

It was a sweet homecoming for nine graduates of Enumclaw High School who came back to their alma mater over the holiday break to share with younger students and parents what college life is like.

During the fourth annual Alumni Luncheon, attendees munched on pizza and heard advice and insights on early admissions and applications, the importance of AP classes, and how different college life is compared to growing up in Enumclaw.

"Enumclaw's a small town, and there's much more diversity in some of the college towns we live in," Taylor Hassenauer, a freshman at Gongaza University said.

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"I feel like we've now got two lives," Anna Nelson, a freshman at Chapman University in California said. "There's life at home and then there's life away from home and it's a totally different place."

Aside from the guest speakers, roughly 30 people attended the luncheon, said Superintendent Mike Nelson. They included juniors, seniors, and parents.

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Cynthia Lang, a culinary arts teacher at brought her daughter Annalisa to hear the graduates -- Annalisa's in the 8th grade.

"I wanted to familiarize her with what options she had for the future," she said, "and to find out why kids go to college. I wanted her to get excited about it."

Annalisa spoke enthusiastically about a role she currently has in her school musical, so Washington State or even Julliard could be in her future, Lang teased. "Really, she's interested in everything."

Several of the college freshman already have their interests decided. Nelson plans to double major in International Business and Spanish, while Hassenauer is looking into also doubling up in Spanish and Political Science. Their friend, freshman Monica Dion, who attends the University of Washington, is going to major in Psychology.

But no one is that concerned with their studies at the moment. This is, after all, their first extended break home since leaving for college in the fall, and revisiting with each other appears to be a bigger priority. "These are my best friends," Hassenauer gushes, grabbing Nelson and Dion in a group hug.Β 


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