As the final quarter for the class of 2026 approaches, all seniors look toward life after graduation. For a select number of students, this means continuing a career as student-athletes. Senior Charlie Parsons is committed to play football at Indiana Wesleyan University.

“[Football] has taught me discipline through waking up for early morning workouts and listening and learning from coaches,” Parsons said. “It has also helped me make lots of friends who I stay connected with and have made lots of memories with along the way.”

Senior Kenna Conrad is committed to play women’s basketball at Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana. Conrad details the network she built through her sport.

“It’s given me a community,” Conrad said. “You’re with people that want to get good grades and want to play, and you’re with people that want to win tournaments and want to win games. You’re growing together.”

Playing basketball has been a part of Conrad’s life since first grade, and taught her valuable lessons to carry throughout her career.

“You’ll lose a game, but it’s important to bounce back,” Conrad said. “It’s the mentality; you can’t just be down about something and come back from it. I feel like a sport really gives you the way to make good out of something that’s bad and change your perspective on life.”

A new chapter begins for these athletes, but North’s chapter is coming to an end.

“I will definitely miss playing in the home games that were packed and had a good student section, especially the games against East,” Parsons said.

Conrad reflects on the student-athlete experience here.

“I hope that college offers [the community here],” Conrad said. “At North, you have teachers, grandparents, and other people that come to your games; you don’t really know them, but they always cheer you on.”

For Conrad, the balance between student and athlete will change in college, as your sport becomes more incorporated into her educational experience.

“When you’re here at high school, you can kind of get away from it a little bit more,” Conrad said.

“That’s gonna be really different; jumping from being able to go home and relax to [next year, when] I’m gonna be with my teammates all the time.”

Parsons, who switched from playing soccer to football in fifth grade, reflects on the very beginning of the recruitment process.

“I had always wanted to play at the next level, but it was the summer going into my sophomore year when I took a big step and was getting a lot of varsity reps,” Parsons said. “I realized that I had the potential to play at that next level.”

The process shines the spotlight on these athletes, but for many recruits, the constant communication effort can take a toll.

“It was very overwhelming at times,” Parsons said. “Texting back coaches all the time and trying not to lose contact with them was very overwhelming, but visiting many different schools and going to various camps was pretty fun.”

Conrad, similarly, notes that campus visits were a highlight of the process, detailing the aspects that make Hanover feel like the right step in her time as an athlete.

“I feel like the community there [stands out to me],” Conrad said. “In that area, a lot of people come to games and support.”

Parsons looks forward to a program that will support him both as an athlete and an individual.

“The football program there has a great culture,” Parsons said. “The coaches show lots of care for the players and growing them, not just as players, but growing their character as well.”