After high school, graduates face a period of adjustment

Like many other area teens, Jon DeNio is in transition to life after high school.

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The Greenbrier High School graduate is working at Publix this summer and will attend Augusta State University in the fall.

DeNio said he then plans to enlist with the Air Force to fly planes. He's slowly taking off to this new phase in his life.

"It hasn't quite sunken in that I'm out of high school," he said. "I do like that I don't have to get up quite so early, and that I can make my own schedule."

Dorekia Lily said she is slowly getting accustomed to seeing her daughter Logan Bryant make more decisions about where to go and what to do next.

"It's part of going from being a young adult to being an adult," Lily said. "I have to give her the room to make more of her own decisions."

Before graduating from Evans High, one of Bryant's biggest decisions was to stay home for her first year of college.

"Expense-wise and mature-wise, I thought that was best considering the transition from a small city to a large one," Bryant said.

She will attend Augusta State University in the fall and then plans transfer to Georgia State University her sophomore year to study sports medicine. This summer, Bryant is spending time volunteering to learn more about her area of study.

Even though Bryant will be close by for a little longer, Lily said this change makes her a bit anxious.

"I'm nervous," she said. "It's almost like everything I've poured into her, the world is about to see."

While football Fridays are still a few months away, Bryant knows that is one thing she will miss the most about high school.

"I played bass drum and I'm really going to miss marching and the music," she said. "That's one thing that I know will be different about college life."

Lakeside High graduate Roman Sabol shares a similar sentiment about missing the band.

"I played throughout high school, starting out in the drum line until I moved up to captain," Sabol said. "I will miss that."

Looking forward, Sabol said he is excited about enjoying the music of a different band this summer.

"I'm going to a few Dave Matthews concerts," he said.

Like Bryant, Sabol is also spending some time this summer getting a jump-start on what's next for him.

"I will be heading to Pittsburgh to study with my uncle, who owns a graphic design business," he said. "I appreciate this opportunity to get a head start to learn about a lot of the programs I'll be working with in school and afterwards."

Sabol will attend Georgia Southern University in the fall and plans to major in graphic design with a minor in advertising.

Sending their first child off to college is giving Sabol's parents mixed emotions.

"I'm happy for him and I'm excited for him," said Rick Sabol. "But I also remember the really good time I had in college, so there's a certain amount of trepidation there.

"He's about to experience the best times of his life. As a parent, I want him to find a balance of having a great time, but getting a great education. It's a really big step."