COLLEGE CORNER: Isaiah Franco ’19

This month’s College Corner features Isaiah Franco ’19, a sophomore at Wofford College, where he studies International Affairs and Spanish. At Wofford, Isaiah received the Charles E. Daniel Scholarship which provides full tuition, fees, room, and board for four years.

How was your experience as a student during your time at the Prep? What are some of your favorite memories?
It was challenging! I remember being super busy, but also learning how to really enjoy the down time that I did have when I wasn't working. I will never forget hanging out in College Counseling senior year. Those are some of the best memories I have. From seriously discussing what we all wanted to do for the next four years, to having Chromebook Risk tournaments, to just cracking jokes and laughing. Also, Spikeball was so fun in my final spring semester. Besides that, I really loved so many of my teachers and mentors! Fortunately, I have been able to stay in touch. Shoutout to Mr. (Pete) Callaghan, Mrs. (Courtney) Pinto, Ms. (Kelly) McGlynn, and Ms. (Susie) Cook -- among many others. Otherwise, I will never forget Stotes and Nationals with the Crew team Sophomore and Junior year. Also, singing barbershop with Treblemakers!

I wrote for the Hawkeye, I facilitated a SpeakUp! discussion, I participated in the principal hiring interviews, I was a member of BLCC, I sang in Treblemakers, I rowed crew for three years, I tutored, I lead on Kairos and Freshman Retreat, and probably other things along the way! I loved to stay involved and still do.

How has your experience been so far at Wofford?
Wofford has been amazing! I am studying International Affairs and Spanish, and have loved most of the classes I have taken for my majors and electives so far. I have learned a ton and even studied abroad in Mexico during our interim January term last year. I have become super involved on campus, and I love working to improve my institution and get the most out of it in my four years. 

I am a sophomore delegate to Wofford College's Campus Union, I am a Wofford Ambassador tour guide, I am employed by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion as a Student Coordinator, I serve as a member of the Wofford Anti-Racism Coalition, I am on the Wofford Orientation Staff, I participate in the Organization of Latin American Students, I stay active in religious groups on campus, and I conduct interviews for Wofford Scholars. Honestly, the list goes on! I love to stay involved and learn outside of the classroom, and I've certainly been able to do that at Wofford.

What are your post-graduation plans?
In all honesty, I have no idea, and I have come to be fine with that. I think there are a lot of paths I may follow. One dream of mine is to live in a Spanish-speaking country or Puerto Rico for a year after college; I would love to immerse myself in the language to finally master it. Besides that, I have been toying with the idea of law school or grad school as well. I think I just enjoy learning new things in different ways, so I am down with a lot of paths as long as I continue to grow. Another thing I am considering is teaching!

How did the Prep prepare you for college?
I think that I really learned how to be okay with a lot of work while also balancing having fun. Furthermore, I learned how to think critically and evaluate issues from many perspectives. This is probably cliché, but I think I am most thankful to the Prep for my Jesuit ideals. I think that a lot of the teachings of Ignatius have made their way into my personal moral code (or at least I hope so). Overall, my biggest takeaway has been to always be open to growth and continue to pursue new ways of educating myself and helping others, which has led me to a lot of opportunities in college.
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