Once the class of 2025 graduates, they are going to begin their individual journey to their dream lives. No matter if they choose to go out of state or stay in California, many seniors are eager to begin a new chapter in their educational or working lives. While many seniors are waiting to hear back from admission letters, they are also preparing to work hard on their second semester grades so they could graduate in the spring.
Already ahead of the game – seniors, Allie Specht and Ming Lee have made their commitment to their future schools! As a softball player and a baseball player, these athletes typically commit to their collegiate teams within the fall semester, so it is no surprise that these two are ready to become student-athletes in college.
Heading over to downtown Tampa, Florida, Allie Specht informs me ¨I will be attending the University of Tampa, I committed last September,¨ she plans on studying Allied Health and playing softball for the private college. Excitingly, Allie became so comfortable with the idea of going out of state and being away from her hometown of Santa Clarita because she says, ¨I have formed a great bond with the coaches and they have welcomed me and made me feel at home. My grandparents live about 45 minutes away from Tampa so I know that they will come support me at my games.¨ As she matures into her own person, this scholar has been awaiting this milestone to happen because of the lively college life she’s heard about while growing up. To make her college experience the best it can be, Specht assures, ¨I believe that the people I surround myself with are huge factors of how I experience college. I have already met my roommate and she has become my best friend,” she continues explaining, “We have the same goals and values so I truly feel that forming connections with my teammates is what is going to create an everlasting bond and make my college experience the best.¨ Although Allie has school to focus on and friendships to create, a fortunate additional factor is already being committed to, “The University of Tampa Division 2 softball team.¨. By being recruited back in the fall semester, Specht has been waiting for the day when she has her first practice with her new team at a new home.
Following Allie´s decision to go to Florida, Saugus senior Ming Lee comments, “I committed to the Trinity University in Texas,” he additionally says, ¨I was looking for an opportunity to continue to play baseball at a competitive level while attending a school with prestigious academic rigor and that will open up many opportunities in my career as an engineer. Located in San Antonio, Texas, Ming was offered a spot on their baseball team, also in the fall semester after a scouting event called, “The Arizona Fall Classic Academic Tryout”. Honored to say so, Lee explains, “I am on the Trinity Tigers division 3 baseball team.” Even though Ming was handed this incredible opportunity from the private university, Lee has also had to consider the pros and cons of going out of state and being 1,380.8 miles away from his loved ones in Santa Clarita. Ming adds, ¨The biggest negative reason for going out of state is that I will be far from friends and family that I have relied on so heavily,” but in contrast, “The biggest positive is that I will learn to be independent and explore areas outside of my local area to better understand what I want for my future.” With dedication, Ming will be studying Mechanical Engineering and playing for one of the best Division III baseball teams in the world. So, when days get busy with endless amounts of homework and exhausting hours of practice, Ming´s optimistic attitude will help his college experience still be happily memorable – he says, ¨I am going to make sure to explore all the opportunities available to me so I can make sure I am taking the best path forward in my life. I will also be sure to take advantage of opportunities that have already been given to me and try to meet new people.¨ Just like Specht, Lee will also be moving into his future home fairly soon after graduating from Saugus High School – with so much support and patience he will become a college student-athlete within no time!
In conclusion, many Saugus graduates will be attending their dream schools by August of this year. Making a huge transition in their young adulthoods will not be easy, but the transition will only get easier by the day. Allie Specht and Ming Lee are perfect examples of seniors heading straight for success. Saugus could not be more honored to say that their alumnus from the class of 2025 had successful academic and athletic accomplishments.
