College Fair Announced – Liberty Seniors Receive Early Acceptance
In addition to homecoming, one of the most exciting events at Liberty in the fall is the annual college fair. Held each year in September, this day allows juniors and seniors time to find out more about colleges of interest, and ultimately, find out more about planning their future.
This year the fair will be held Tuesday, Sept. 21. Toni King, academic advisor, said, “We really try to bring the college to students. Without leaving school, they have the opportunity to meet with representatives from top colleges across the nation. It opens their eyes to the realm of possibilities.”
Sophomores can attend the fair if a parent comes to school to take them out of class and accompany them at the fair.
Other private schools in the area will also come to Liberty for the fair.
More than 90 colleges will be represented at this fair, including colleges outside of Texas, such as Purdue, Colorado State University, Kansas State University, University of Oklahoma, University of Nebraska, John Brown, Hawaii Pacific, the University of Alabama, and the University of Arizona, as well as colleges inside of Texas, including Baylor, SMU, Texas A&M, the Core of Cadets, Howard Payne University, Hardin Simmons University, Texas Tech, and Stephen F. Austin.
Almost 10 percent of the senior class, however, has already received their college acceptance and know where they are headed next year.
Ty Dunlap, recently named a Semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program, is going to Texas A&M to be on their golf team and in their business honors program.
“I started getting recruited by A&M around the middle of my sophomore year, and once I met head coach J.T. Higgins, I knew I wanted to play for him. I visited about 10 other schools around the country, but when it came down to it, my heart was really set on A&M. I chose A&M because their practice facilities and home course, and their business honors program is one of the top programs in the country. Also, they won the NCAA in golf in 2009!
“I am very confident that my degree from the honors program at Texas A&M will allow me to get a good start in the business world if my golf doesn’t pay off. If golf doesn’t work out, I would love to pursue a career in business with ambitions to become a chairman for a private equity company.
“I think Liberty has really helped me mature in my academic performance. I also think our golf coach Larry Frank was huge in helping my attitude on the course.”
Madison Oliver signed with West Point.
“I verbally committed in June to play soccer for West Point. The process of acceptance included a lengthy online application during the summer, a complete physical examination, a thorough fitness test, several teacher recommendations, and a congressional nomination by Congressman Burgess.
“The West Point soccer coaches first contacted me. Before that I had never imagined attending a United States Military academy. From what I’ve heard of West Point, it will be extremely challenging mentally, emotionally, and physically. However, every person I’ve spoken with admits that the experience of not only learning, but actually graduating from West Point is both a great honor and achievement.
“West Point presents so many unique opportunities; it is far different than any other college I’ve looked at, and I love that about the school. I have complete confidence that the education will prepare me for my life and future career both in the military and beyond. I am certain that West Point is where God wants me, and I know He will take care of me there.
“Every West Point graduate earns an engineering degree and the title of Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. I’m not sure exactly which branch of the military I will go into, but right now I am leaning toward the medical field, specifically psychology.
“Liberty has been an enormous blessing in my life, and no one in my family ever estimated the immense benefit the school, its faculty, and its students would bring me. The academics are challenging, and I am certain that the extra tutorials from teachers who truly care about their students pushed me to achieve my very best.
“Athletically, Liberty provided me with great training schedules and the best girls’ soccer team I could have ever asked for. Liberty truly understands the meaning of doing all for the glory of God. I know He used the Christ-like teachers and overall atmosphere of a God-centered school to start and grow a true relationship in me with our Creator.
“Now all the intense time and pressure of searching for and receiving acceptance from a university is gone – no pressure for my senior year; it is such a joy to not worry and stress over studying for and taking the SAT and ACT exams. I can focus my attention on school in general, really enjoy my senior year, and see what plans the Lord has for me.”
Caden Compton has been accepted to four colleges.
“I knew that I really wanted to play football in college, but since that was a dream I couldn’t count on, I decided to pick four schools that would be my back up in case I did not get that opportunity.
“I visited Iowa State as a sophomore and love the tradition, the weather, and the people. I have a sister who went to OU, and I really enjoy the football tradition there. Kansas is gorgeous, and I really felt at home when I went to visit. Arkansas was a home run from the beginning. It had the football, the beauty, the tradition, and I loved the location.
“My plan is to major in veterinary medicine. I really feel I can make a difference in animal science. I look forward to what the future brings and cannot wait to see what God has for my life.
“Liberty prepared me both academically and athletically for the future. If God has plans for me to play at the next level, I am there! If not, I am going to glorify Him by being the best student I can be. I hope I will get the opportunity to do both. We will see what His plan is for me. I would love to be able to serve Him in a way that allows me to get a great education and still play the sport I love.
“Knowing I have already been accepted to four schools allows me to relax and focus on my senior year. I know God has a plan for me. He will guide me and direct me in the way that He wants me to go. I feel relieved that I don’t have to stress over whether or not I have a college home. He knows where I belong. Time will tell exactly where that will be.”
In addition to the students mentioned above, Brooke Jeary has been accepted to the University of Oklahoma, Cameron Budd to the University of Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas, Skylar Ashlock to the University of Arkansas, Trevor Simms to Rice, and Brandi Trost to Texas A&M.
Congratulations to these students! They will enjoy the college fair like the other seniors, but for a different reason. They have the peace of mind knowing where they will be next year, and thanks to the fair, the rest of the senior class will follow soon.