Stephanie Atwood
Four years of high school debate and forensics prepared Atwood for at least one possible career goal.

"I think I could be a lawyer," Atwood said. "But I don't really know. I change my mind a lot. I could choose a number of things."

Atwood said she enjoyed the arguing aspects of debate enough to make being a trial lawyer sound appealing. Participation in high school student government made her think politics could be interesting, as well.

"I really think it's important to know what's going on in the world," said Atwood, who is interning with the Kansas Democratic Party. "I don't know if I want to be a politician, but I will always be active in politics."

Atwood is as indecisive about choosing a college as she is a career. The 18-year-old got accepted to a number of schools, including George Washington, Georgetown and Vanderbilt universities and The University of Kansas.

Her future is a little more clear when it comes to some noncareer aspects. Atwood plans to get married and said she "definitely" wants to get out of the Midwest.

"I'm really ready to move on to more interesting and challenging things," she said. "I really like Topeka and Kansas, but it's just too conservative for me."

In 10 years, however, Atwood said she may return to the capitol city. She likes the idea of sending her children to Topeka Collegiate where she attended school through eighth grade.

If only choosing her school could be as easy as choosing her future children's.

"I have until May 1 to decide," she said. "It's a big decision for my future."