Senior Spotlight: Caris Schoolcraft
This fall, The Talon is highlighting 2023 graduating seniors. Caris Ruth Schoolcraft, the former president of the Theatrical Society, and a General Studies major (with a teaching minor), met with The Talon to reminisce about her experience at Toccoa Falls College. Schoolcraft described her experiences as a student and shared advice to underclassmen.
Schoolcraft in costume (Spring of 2022).
Photo courtesy of the TFC Theatrical Society
For Schoolcraft, TFC’s slogan, “Home is Here” could not be more accurate. Her parents, George and Amy met and fell in love as TFC students in the 1980s, returning for graduate school later in life. The Toccoa area has had a special impact on the Schoolcraft family. Her siblings, Eva, Esther, Gabriel and Katherine had gone to TFC for college or dual enrollment, giving her confidence to apply here. In fact, Schoolcraft was born at Stephens County Hospital, which neighbors the college.
After graduating from high school, Schoolcraft was unsure of which college to attend. “As soon as I was on campus, I knew [without a doubt] this was where the Lord wanted me to be,” Schoolcraft says.
When she was twelve years old, a woman at church told her that she would grow up and become a doctor in a place she would least expect. With this in mind, Schoolcraft planned to enroll in the Nursing program and began taking the prerequisite classes. However, she did not feel peaceful when she prayed about this career path. It was not until she began reflecting on her time as a teacher’s assistant back in high school that she started to consider the teaching major.
“I felt like He put a strong [desire or dream] to be impactful in children’s lives. I have always wanted to work with children and be with children,” Schoolcraft says.
During her junior year of college, Schoolcraft’s high school mentors, Ms. Ward, and Ms. Harvey passed away, leaving her questioning her values, her identity and her decision to major in teaching. Schoolcraft says, “[For some reason] I was convinced that I couldn’t pursue teaching because... I wouldn’t be able to talk to them. It didn’t feel right to pursue that career without them.”
After much prayer and reflection, Schoolcraft realized that her mentors’ deaths did not mean her dreams were dead, too. Schoolcraft still remembers what her mentors taught and embodied.
“I can still remember what they cared for, what their values were, and how they lived for Christ. I can still learn from them,” Schoolcraft says.
In addition to Ms. Ward and Ms. Harvey, Schoolcraft is grateful for Dr. Burris’ influence in her life. His spiritual and emotional investment into his students' lives has been one of her many blessings at TFC. Schoolcraft says, “Dr. Burris really pours into students’ lives; he’s definitely poured into mine. I’ve had lots of good personal conversations and theological discussions with him. I feel like I could talk to him about anything.”
Having switched her major from Teaching to General Studies, Schoolcraft is still figuring out what she wants to do after college that would allow her to embody the values her mentors taught her in the lives of children.
Schoolcraft shares the following advice to underclassmen, “If you believe that the Lord is calling you to change your major, then change it and choose one that gives you peace […] I believe that He gave each of us good passions and desires to make the world a better place. If God doesn’t want you to do something, then it won’t happen. If you have the opportunities to do things you want to do, then take those opportunities.”