When finishing high school, students each try to achieve one of the three E’s that Logansport High School tries to make sure everyone achieves: enrolled in college, enlisted in the army, or employed in the community. 

Manuel Flores, a 2020 graduate, Charlie Fultz, a 2021 graduate, and Debora Ruiz-Lopez, a 2022 graduate discuss their journey after high school and their current plans. 

What were you planning on doing right after high school, and what happened to that plan?

Flores: I was planning on going to college. I applied to Ball State, which was the only school I applied to. I was going to study to be an accountant, and well, the plan changed after we had a school speaker in economics class my senior year tell us about his experience with college, how he went and studied and didn’t have a job after because he was low on jobs, and struggled for a while and became a cop. Honestly, after that, it gave me a wake-up call, you know? I really wanted to go to college. I did, but honestly, for the wrong reasons. It was life without my parents and freedom and parties, so I decided I wanted a job, a well-paying job. I joined the Laborers Union. Thanks to the help of a recommendation, I was able to get in quicker, and I’m thankful for it.

Fultz: After high school, I planned on attending IUK to major in Business management, which I am still doing over a year later as a sophomore.

Ruiz-Lopez: I was planning on either attending Purdue or Ivy Tech, but then I realized Purdue didn’t have architecture as I had initially planned, The reason why I wanted to go to Purdue was that I wasn’t 100% sure about architecture. After the second semester of my senior year, I realized it was what I wanted to do. I enrolled in the ASAP program at Ivy Tech, which is completing an associate’s degree to transfer in one year. So, I could finish freshman and sophomore years in one year at IVY tech instead of two. So, I guess my plan kinda went through. Right now, I’m doing general studies so I can hopefully transfer to Ball State as a major in architecture.

What’s something you wish you’d known before leaving high school? 

Flores: I wish I’d known how to invest my money and knew more about credit cards and other financial things.

Fultz: I wish I knew that taking college slow at first was a good option and not rushing into it as high school tells you. Also, college is a lot more relaxed when it comes to rules and stuff. Personally, I enjoy college a lot more than high school.

What would you do differently if you went back as a high school freshman?

Flores: I wouldn’t do anything different. But, I guess just one thing and that’s joining wrestling in my freshman year. I just wished I joined sooner.

Ruiz-Lopez: Pretty much not be as shy as I was. Like, be more out there doing my homework. Freshman year was not it. It was fun, but I didn’t really didn’t care as much as I probably should’ve.

Where do you hope to see yourself in 5-10 Years?

Flores: Honestly, I can’t tell you. I know I will for sure be working, trying to make that bank, and trying to enjoy myself and live my life the way I want to.

Fultz: In 5-10 years, I see myself working a management job or even owning my own business. Or, even being a CFO or CEO of a corporation.

Ruiz-Lopez: Still in college finishing my master’s. Hopefully, I would’ve already left Indiana by that point. But, even after that, I still see myself in college.