Beginning in February, each CHS senior is doing a career presentation, in which they share their future plans and life goals - a requirement for the Senior College Prep class. The seniors then give the presentation to the entire student body. We want to spotlight our CHS seniors by sharing their future plans with you.

Abby Staulbaumer is in her final semester at Callaway High School, and will soon be leaving behind the school and community she grew up in. Next fall Abby will be making the move to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where she plans to attend Oklahoma State University.

Abby knows that a common question she will hear is, “Why does a kid from Nebraska choose to go to school in Oklahoma?”

“I knew that OSU is one of the strongest in the nation in almost all agricultural fields,” Abby said in answer to that question. “I’ve always loved going south, and Stillwater has a great atmosphere. It is also very easy to navigate.”

Abby shared that another thing that attracted her to OSU is the campus. “It is the perfect size for me, and everything is all on one campus.”

At OSU, Abby plans to major in agricultural communications and agribusiness, with a possible minor in agriculture leadership. Classes she will be taking include communications, economics, accounting, marketing and a host of general ag classes. She plans to finish in four years.

“These degrees will allow me to get a career in writing, advertising, public relations, web content management, photography, social media or video production,” Abby explained. “They will also allow me the opportunity to operate a business.”

She shared that she has always had a passion for agriculture and the people who work in that industry, and ag communications is a broad degree that will enable her to venture out into a variety of directions. Abby considers herself futuristic, competitive, strategic and analytical. She has had opportunities to demonstrate those qualities through showing cattle, serving on the National Maine-Anjou Board and various other leadership experiences.

While at OSU, Abby plans to become involved in a sorority and clubs as well as the President’s Leadership Council. She also plans to compete in intramural sports. She knows she will be living in a dorm on campus, but doesn’t know for sure which one yet.

She will graduate from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture communications with an agribusiness double major. Future careers she is considering with that degree are agriculture writer or editor, marketing professional or public relations specialist. “I could do any of these jobs locally, or farther away,” she explained.

Abby credits her time at Callaway Public Schools for giving her a strong foundation to build her future on. “This school has allowed me to get involved in FFA and has opened me up to different ag careers,” she shared. “The biggest help in preparing me for college is probably the dual-credit and higher level math and science classes.”

When thinking about her future, Abby said she is most excited to be able to travel, meet new people and “being in warmer weather”. She is most nervous about being so far from home and having to solve all of her own problems.

When asked what advice she would give underclassmen, Abby responded, “Do what makes you happy, even if you are the only one doing it.”