A high school diploma was just the starting point for these Oglethorpe County graduates.
From college to internships to early career experiences, they’re finding their footing beyond OCHS and the county.
As the Class of 2025 prepares to graduate, several OCHS alumni shared how growing up in the county shaped their goals and the lessons that continue to guide them.
Comments have been edited for length and clarity.
Ben Beasley
Class of 2020
Special education teacher and coach at Oglethorpe County High School.
Q: How did your time in the Oglethorpe County School System shape your path?
A: I mean it's such a good little, small town. It's such a good place to grow up.
Q: Were there any specific teachers, programs or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?
A: I would say Ms. (Melissa) McGarity. She was a counselor when I was in school, now she works for the board. If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t have gone to school.
Q: As someone who grew up in the county, what is it like being back and working in the school you went to?
A: I would say I’ve got a bit more wisdom, and I mean it's kinda a full-circle moment. When you get yelled at when you're a student, you kinda see the reasons for it now. I understand a lot more.
Macie McDaniel
Class of 2024
First-year student at the University of Georgia, studying criminal justice.
Q: Were there any teachers, programs or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?
A: Either Ms. (Jennifer) Yauck or Mr. (Eric) Schmidt. Their courses were very much like a college course and very rigorous. I think it prepared me without just throwing me into a super giant course load.
Q: What have been your biggest achievements since graduating high school?
A: My biggest achievement since graduating has probably been successfully making it out of brain surgery (for a pituitary tumor) while also balancing college courses. That has been the biggest thing I am most proud of myself for, because I very easily could have pulled the pity card and just tried to get out of work, but I decided that would not be the best thing for me.
Q: What advice would you give to OCHS students who are thinking about their careers or college plans?
A: I think my biggest piece of advice would be not to slack off your senior year of high school. As much as you want to, it is so not worth it.
Jayda Jones
Class of 2022
Student at the University of North Georgia, teaching in Forsyth County after graduation.
Q: How did your time in the Oglethorpe County School System shape your path?
A: I think coming from a small town gave me a different outlook than a lot of people when I got to college. (OCHS students) were all like a family.
Q: Were there any teachers, programs or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?
A: My coaches, Tim and Penni Stoudenmire, were amazing. I definitely wouldn’t have gotten through high school without them. And Melissa McGarity. She was like a second mom growing up.
Q: What have been your biggest achievements since graduating high school?
A: I think just going to college and being the first person in my family to go to college, and not giving up even when I wanted to, even when it was hard. And then obviously getting a job is probably very high up there.
Mathew Soto
Class of 2019
Student physical therapist at Augusta University.
Q: Were there any teachers, programs or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?
A: One (teacher) in particular would probably be Mr. (Eric) Schmidt. He happened to also know my parents. He was always a big encouragement, and he always told me I could do whatever I wanted to do. I just applied myself, and he knew I could.
Q: How did your time in the Oglethorpe County School system shape your path?
A: I’d say the biggest thing coming from such a small town has really taught me a sense of community and the importance of having those you can rely on and help you through tough times and celebrate the good.
Q: What have been your biggest achievements since graduating high school?
A: Going to college, getting into PT school was a real big achievement, and coming into PT school with a published research paper.
Shane Watson
Class of 2022
Wrestling at Campbellsville (Kentucky) University, studying sports management.
Q: What is the sports and school balance as a student-athlete?
A: It’s different (than high school) because you’re not going to have teachers emailing you, talking to you, pulling you aside to be like, “Hey, did you get this done? Did you get this done?” You’re not going to have your counselor email you saying, “Hey, you need to get this done.” It’s literally all on you. If you don’t go to class, oh well, that’s your grade, your money.
Q: Were there any teachers, programs or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?
A: Coach (Tim) Stoudenmire, my wrestling coach. He really made me the person I am today because I wasn’t really the best, well-behaved kid coming into high school. But he saw that and he addressed that fast.
Q: What advice would you give to OCHS students who are thinking about their careers or college plans?
A: Don’t rush high school. Take your time. Anything your counselors give you, do it.
Nick Orlowsky
Class of 2020
Mechanical engineering student at the University of Georgia.
Q: Were there any teachers, programs or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?
A: I would say probably my seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher, Ms. (Mindee) Dunagan. She was kinda like the one who made (math) fun. It wasn’t just numbers; her class was always a good time.
Q: What have been your biggest achievements since graduating high school?
A: I would probably have to say just securing my internship.
Q: What advice would you give to OCHS students who are thinking about their careers or college plans?
A: I would say get out of your comfort zone. Even though that's pretty cliche, I’m gonna say that. If you’re scared of what will happen, you’ll stop what might happen. I was scared of going into a new environment and wanted to stay with what was normal to me, not to really branch out. But I would have lost so many opportunities in college and life in general. Go do what you think will make you fulfilled in life, and don’t be scared to fail.