Class of 2011 reflects on life after high school

by Andrea Farrington and Morgan Sanders

Part one of a series

Last year Montezuma sent 29 students out into the “real world.” Some had plans of going to college, others military and some straight into the workforce. Now four students weigh in on what it was really like to leave the halls of Montezuma. 

Alexa Wheaton

Alexa Wheaton planned to attend Central College to get a four-year degree double majoring in elementary education and special education with an endorsement in math and reading. 

She currently is going through with her original plans and is also working at Madison Elementary School assisting a kindergarten teacher and loves it. 

Her advice to the class of 2012 is, “Go out and experience everything; it really doesn’t matter what your degree says on your diploma. It matters more about what you get out of that course, what you are involved in and who you meet along the way.”

Hope Kriegel

Hope Kriegel planned to go to a small school and play volleyball. 

She is now at University of Northern Iowa because she quickly realized how much it was going to cost and UNI offered the most financial aid. She also has changed her major from social work to elementary education. 

Kriegel found that the biggest change from high school to college was being on her own and not having a set schedule all the time. 

Kriegel says, “My advice is to go out and live, make your mark and don’t take no for an answer. There is so much out there and there is so many opportunities waiting for you.”

Calli Zimmerman 

Calli Zimmerman planned on going to Iowa State University and majoring in agriculture business or economics.

She has followed through in attending Iowa State University and has also added a secondary agribusiness major.

After going to college, she realized how much you really need to study. Zimmerman advises that you should get ready because it is tons of fun but you need to focus on your grades. 

Elizabeth Jones

Elizabeth Jones planned on going to Des Moines Area Community College and getting her psychology degree.

She is now attending DMACC for nursing and taking care of her daughter when not at school. 

Jones’s advice is, “Don’t slack off in college because if you do you are just wasting your time and money.” 

Watch for more responses from the class of 2011  in our next edition as the series continues.