MOving Out

Class of 2023 shares why they choose to go out of state for college

By Analiesa Hollowood Staff Reporter

As the last year of seniors’ high school careers comes to a close, many have decided to pursue a collegiate education. As they pursue their options for the 2023-2024 school year, they are met with a crucial question. In state? Or out of state? Surprising even themselves, many students are yearning for a life outside their home state’s boundaries.

There are several reasons to consider in and out of state schooling. Economics, scholarships, career programs, and prestige are all notable factors. The need for a change, especially, resides deeper than the rest within the hearts of the class of 2023. Seniors are sick of the culture and “vibe” of suburban Missouri. Senior Sarah Henderson is attending Central Michigan University after graduation, and has known her calling to leave the Show-Me State ever since fifth grade.

“I’ve always wanted to go out of state and just live a little differently. This just feels kind of natural for me now and I’m really excited to just get out there. It’s kind of fun to make my own way,” Henderson said.. Henderson also found throughout her college search that Central Michigan University had a friendliness that many Missoui schools lacked. Instead of the uptight nature she was used to from previous tours, she was blown away by just how accepting Michigan was. Instead of throwing statistics of how superior the school was in comparison to others, Henderson’s tour guide smiled and welcomed her kindly to her future home.

“Whenever I went on the campus tour, you know, it’s like, all the other ones that I went to were kind of uptight, you know, but this one was way more friendly. You know, everybody was open,” said Henderson.

Other seniors, such as Lane Harris, are leaving simply to pursue a better fit school. Sports scholarships and athletic opportunities are a huge reason to leave Missouri. University of Charleston, Harris’s soon to be source of education, has offered an extensive baseball scholarship and a prestigious program, something no Missouri school could offer. Harris is excited and passionate about where his future schooling will lead him and his plans for his career.

“I will be studying exercise science and playing baseball there. I’m going there with a sport’s scholarship and I really want to do something with athletics in general. I want to help people understand the body so they can better come back from injury or something like that. I’m very excited,” Harris said.

Senior Madi Valenti, attending Illinois State this fall, was also enticed towards the out of state experience. She loved the community, athletic opportunity, and most of all the distance. Only an hour-and-a-half drive, Valenti felt as though she was far enough away to gain her independence and have her own life, while still being able to return home if needed.

“I wanted to be a reasonable distance away, but still could still drive home in a day and it’d be fine. So Illinois State is like an hour-anda-half, two hours away. And it’s not that far, but it’s still not here. So I was like, sounds good,” said Valenti.

As she strolled through the streets of her soon to be home’s campus, she was enamored by the atmosphere. She knew quickly, this was where she was meant to be. It was refreshing yet familiar at the same time. It had the charm of the midwest which she had grown used to, while also having the spark of something new.

“I’m getting a new experience in a new state because like, honestly, once you see one town in Missouri, you’ve seen it all. It’s all gonna be the same. So just like new, new communities, new people, new, even new stores,” said Valenti.

The same old routine of life in Missouri has gotten to these seniors as well as many others. Some desperate to leave cannot for a magnitude of reasons. It is a difficult time for seniors, especially those moving a great distance, but the freedom for the Show Me State they will gain in exchange is well worth the trouble in their eyes. Missouri has just gotten old, and members of the class of 2023 can’t wait to break free.