With some 70 Alba-Golden, Mineola and Quitman 2025 graduates headed out to institutions of higher education, it is instructive to look at just where they are all going. 

The first thing to note is that students are bound for huge public universities – Texas A&M enrolls nearly 80,000 students – to small trade schools, such as the Stone School of Massage on the SW Loop in Tyler.

Most graduates enrolling for higher education will be staying in Texas. Although it appears that a swath of territory up into Oklahoma and including the southwestern half of Arkansas is luring Wood County graduates as well.

Just as last year’s class included an Alba-Golden graduate, Easton Campbell, who ranged as far as King’s Point, NY (for the Merchant Marine Academy), the class of 2025 includes another far-ranging Alba-Golden graduate. Brandt Peterson will soon become a Brigham Young University Cougar, in Provo, Utah.

Tyler Junior College and UT Tyler combine to account for nearly half of all graduates bound for higher education. This is not merely a matter of convenience but also a very positive critique of the value both schools offer. 

The realization by colleges and universities that they can recruit from local high schools for quality students is most welcome.

School mascots, especially for sports fans, are always a source of fun.  There are some one-of-a-kind monikers on the attached list of destination schools this year. 

Among them are the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas University, the well-known Razorbacks of University of Arkansas and the Mean Green of the University of North Texas. There are also two storms – the Crimson Storm of Southern Nazarene University and the Savage Storm of Southeast Oklahoma State University. Another local favorite, the Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin University, is also on the list.

Interestingly, the University of Texas at Tyler does not have a mascot. Documents on their website indicate that they have a ‘brand identity system.’  Their brand identity system is the Patriots. Interesting.

While the pipeline between East Texas and Texas A&M University builds familiarity with cities of Bryan and College Station, there are lesser-known host cities. Some of those are San Marcos (Texas State University), Stephenville (Tarleton State), Waxahachie (Nelson University) and Huntsville (Sam Houston State).

Across the Texas border are a few more college towns: Roswell, N.M. (New Mexico Military Institute), Bolivar, Mo. (Southwestern Baptist University), McPherson, Kan. (Central Christian University), Magnolia, Ark. (Southern Arkansas University) and Durant, Okla. (Southeastern Oklahoma State). 

Alba-Golden, Mineola and Quitman schools expend significant time and energy in aligning their soon-to-be-graduates with the correct destination for their future.  

Mineola counselor Rachael Wernecke commented, “… students are intrigued by schools when they know of someone who has already been there.” She also noted that often, simple exposure and name recognition of universities can plant the seeds of future study there.

Wernecke is joined by Shelby Keller at Alba-Golden, Amy Park at Quitman High School and fellow Yellowjacket counselor Ta’Shara Stephens in helping to shape graduates’ futures.

Keller summarized the positive, personal impact work as a counselor brings.

“We love to see…students out in the bigger world figuring things out on their own. It is especially joyful when they earn scholarships.”  

She also acknowledged that college is not for everyone and that there are many roads to success.

“Just as important to us is when the students simply have a plan…we love to see that.”