Chapel Hill Elementary School fourth- and fifth-graders learned about post-secondary 
education and career pathways from 10 in-person presenters — including eight former students who once walked the school's hallways — on Friday during the 10th annual "Oh, the Places You'll Go Day."
Counselor Elisa Vaught, who has spent 28 years at Chapel Hill Elementary, started the interactive event, giving students the opportunity to participate in a simulated college-style experience, including reviewing a course catalog, registering for sessions, and following an individualized schedule. Students selected two sessions of their choice, with Vaught choosing two additional sessions for each student.
Vaught said "Oh, the Places You'll Go Day" aims to broaden students' perspectives, inspire future aspirations, and help them begin connecting their current learning to future possibilities.
Sessions are led by guest "professors" — individuals currently in training, recently completed
their education, or actively working in their fields — who provide students with real-world insight into various career and educational journeys. Student ambassadors helped guide presenters and escort classmates between sessions throughout the day.
Delancy "DJ" Alexander, who helped lead New Manchester High to a school-record in wins and earned the Howard Thompson Award as Douglas County's top senior football player, was among the eight former CHES students to present, telling classes about his journey to Florida International University, where he is continuing his education and football career.
Another CHES alumna, Sabrina Hupp, was a member of the USA Olympic Karate Team and is now in dental school, planning to become a pediatric dentist. Hupp taught students taking her "course" dojo skills.
Current Chapel Hill High senior RJ Jackson, another former student at the elementary school, plans to become a veterinarian. Chandler Howard, a senior at New Manchester High, talked to students in her "course" about participating in the Mighty Marching Jaguar Band.
"I think one of the neatest things is to see these kids come back, so I'm able to follow their journey," Vaught said. "Those seeds we're planting now, we kind of get to see where it took them, and they're able to bring it back."
Ali Telfort, a third-year pharmaceutical science student at the University of Georgia, also has deep roots in the event — Vaught noted that her brother presented at a previous "Oh, the Places You'll Go Day," even showing a photo of Telfort as a fifth-grader alongside him. Telfort, another CHES alumna, earned a pharmacy assisting certificate from West Georgia Technical College while at Chapel Hill High and plans to earn her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical science by 2030.
Other in-person presenters included: Rayven Mickens, a CHES alumna and aspiring school counselor attending Mercer University who returned to the school last fall as Vaught's school counseling intern; Abigail Morris, a CHES alumna and third-year nursing student at Tuskegee University; Nicole Paul, a former CHES student pursuing a master's in public policy at Duke; Tyshawn Ferrell, a Ph.D. candidate at Emory University; and Stephan Paul Jr., a CHES alumnus and New Manchester High senior who plans to play baseball collegiately while pursuing a sports management degree.
Students also viewed six pre-recorded sessions in the afternoon, featuring Regis Harris, a Chapel Hill High senior who earned more than $1 million in scholarships and was accepted to more than 40 colleges; the Lithia Springs High School Robotics Team; the College and Career Institute; Adam Alford, a fifth-grade CHES teacher who shared his journey through military service, trade school and college; Aryana Cook, a Clark Atlanta University student; and Natalie Parker, a nursing student at Georgia Highlands College.