Leaving BHS bittersweet for Oldag
Editor’s Note: Franklin’s Future is a regular feature spotlighting a high school senior in Franklin County and what they have planned for life after graduation.
There aren’t many things at Belgreen High School that 17-year-old senior Austin Oldag hasn’t participated in during the last four years.
On the academic and service side of things, Oldag, who has been a student at Belgreen since kindergarten, is a member of Future Business Leaders of America, Beta Club, annual staff, scholar’s bowl, and has received an award for having all A’s.
On the sports side of things, Oldag has served as the co-captain of the BHS basketball team, has received the Most Improved award, and has received the Scholar Athlete award on two separate occasions.
Someone who is this involved in their high school experience has obviously enjoyed it as well, and this is true for Oldag.
“I’ve grown up with these people because I’ve always gone to school here, so my favorite thing about high school is being with all my friends on a regular basis because we’re all close,” Oldag said. “There’s also been classes I’ve enjoyed like my history and government class with Mrs. [Susan] Thompson, my math classes and P.E.”
Oldag said he realizes that high school was probably one of the most fun and carefree times he’ll have, so his upcoming graduation in May will be definitely be bittersweet.
“I’m going to miss all the free time there is when you’re in high school because I know I probably won’t have a lot of that after I graduate,” he said. “I’m also just going to miss the school itself because it’s been like a second home to me over the years.”
After graduation, Oldag plans to attend the University of North Alabama where he will major in chemistry with the hopes of later transferring to Auburn to pursue a career in pharmacy.
“I haven’t completely decided on pharmacy, but that’s the direction I’m headed in right now,” Oldag said. “It just seems like a good career for me because you can make your own hours and have a flexible schedule while at the same time helping people.”
As much as Oldag will miss his days at BHS, he’s looking forward to the new experiences college life will bring.
“I think it will be fun to meet new friends and participate in more activities,” he said. “Really it’s just going to generally be exciting because it’s a big change.”
Oldag said he plans to eventually move over to Florence instead of commuting and he said he might enjoy living there in the future.
“I’ve loved Franklin County, but I’ve grown up being a mile from our nearest neighbor, so down the road I think I’d like to live in a city like Florence or Huntsville because I could have a better business in a bigger city, there would be more to do, and it would be more convenient,” he said.
Before he heads off into the real world this fall, Oldag said he plans to spend time with his friends and with his parents, Lonnie and Amanda Oldag, and his younger brother, Jordan.
He also plans to go ahead and dive into the world of responsibility by getting a summer job.
“Whatever I’m doing and wherever I am in life, I just want to have good experiences, have fun and be happy,” he said.
