As another school year comes to a close, some OHS juniors are skipping the leisurely summer routine for immersive, hands-on programs that offer a preview of both collegiate life and future careers. From government simulations to building architecture models, these students are investing their time to test their interests before senior year begins.

“I’m doing an architecture discovery program at WashU from July 12 to the 25 this summer. It’s like a discovery program, so basically they teach you what it’s going to be like with modeling and coming up with designs,” Gloria Nguyen (11) said. 

Aside from hands-on modeling experiences, Nguyen is also looking forward to networking, speaking to local agencies and taking a lot of field trips. 

“I’m kind of undecided in my career. This is just one of the fields that I thought I’d be interested in, so I’m hoping this might help solidify my decision and what I want,” Nguyen said. 

After getting essay advice from her older brother, a second-year applicant was accepted into the same architecture program, but they are looking forward to it for different reasons.

“I’m excited that it’s for actual college credit hours,” Soma Baban (11) said. “It will be a way to live on a college campus for two weeks and see how that will be for me, too.”

In nearby Saint Charles, an aspiring political science major will be taking a deep dive into what it takes to manage a government.

“I’m going to Girl’s State, and it’s a week long, and it’s at Lindenwood University,” Vildana Korkaric (11) said. “It’s like a government kind of simulation program and it’s for community building. I plan to learn more about how societies work and how governments actually function, because the whole purpose of the program is to create a state, which is why it’s called Girl’s State. You start from scratch, and every person has a position. I kind of just hope to learn how it works on a deeper level.”

Korkaric first heard about the program through a Missouri Youth and Government conference in 2024 but hesitated to apply because of financial barriers.

“In order to go, you have to find a sponsor to pay for you. I didn’t know where I would find someone to pay $500 for me because you’re not allowed to pay for it yourself. So that’s the only thing that really held me back,” Korkaric said. 

Venturing out of state, an aspiring medical professional is enrolled in a summer intensive at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

“It’s called Outset and it’s for future professions in the medical field,” Addison Hebden (11) said. “I was accepted into the neuroscience division of that. Right now I’m looking into the neuroscience field as an occupation once I graduate, so this will really help me know if this is something I truly want to pursue or if I should maybe rethink that.”

Like some others, Hebden is anticipating dorm life and the independence that comes along with it.

“I’m staying on campus in the dorms and I have no idea who I’m going to be with. I’m looking forward to being able to see the campus and see North Carolina because I’ve never been,” Hebden said.

Ultimately, all four students share one common thread: a desire to make their senior year of high school more intentional. Whether they return with new friendships, a clearer path or simply confidence of having a college experience under their belts, these programs are already shaping their futures.

“It’s important to me to take advantage of opportunities that come my way,” Hebden said. “If you don’t put yourself out there, you’ll never know if you would have gotten accepted or not.”