As most of Clayton’s upperclassmen struggle to apply to colleges or grapple with financial aid, some pursue a different career path. 98 percent of last year’s CHS graduating class matriculated to a 2-year or 4-year college. But a few chose to enlist in the military.

College counselor Carolyn Blair cites Clayton’s college-prep reputation as a big factor in CHS’s low military interest.

“We tend to attract families that are quite interested in CHS as a college preparatory school,” Blair said. “I think a lot of families choose Clayton School District for that reason. While this is not the best option for every kid, we have a lot of parents who at least start out thinking that this is their child’s trajectory.”

Senior Victoria Griffin’s family initially wanted her to take a more traditional college route, and she says her decision to join the Marines has caused tension.

Joining the military, however, does not necessarily mean giving up a college education. From ROTC to online courses, there are viable ways for soldiers to afford and schedule tome to go to college. Griffin, who has already enrolled in the Marines, plans to earn her sociology and social work degree from the American Military University, an entirely online college dedicated to soldiers.

“They know you’re in the military so they work around your work schedule,” Griffin said.

However, though entering ROTC in college often leads to scholarship opportunities, Clayton students tend to find their college options reduced by the limited number of ROTC programs available, according to Blair.

“We have some interested in ROTC for the college scholarship, but often the restrictions on which college the student can attend has been an issue with students who have been interested in the past,” Blair said.

The military also offers job security. Once enlisted, new recruits are guaranteed a job after boot camp. First, however, they have to contract. In St. Louis, this process happens at the Military Entrance Processing Station downtown.

“Contracting is horrible,” Griffin said. “It consists of going to stay at a hotel downtown where all the other people from your area go to contract from all the different branches. You wake up at five and get bussed down to the fed building to take a whole bunch of different tests. They take your height, weight, test for drugs and alcohol, give you a whole physical, do background checks, and take your fingerprints.”

Potential recruits also must pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which Clayton does not offer, although interested students can arrange to take the test at another area high school. The test is multiple-choice and determines what positions applicants may receive.

Griffin chose to enlist in the Marine core as opposed to another military branch because of the sense of family fostered there.

“Something I’ve noticed about marine core recruiters is that unlike other branches, they keep in contact a lot,” Griffin said. “It’s really a sense of family. They try to keep in touch with everyone they get in contact with. It’s because it’s the smallest branch. I guess they figure if you’re nice to everybody and get along with everybody.”

Despite concerns from family and some teasing for being the only girl at her weekly Marine meet-ups, Griffin is satisfied with her decision to join the Marines.

“I’ve always been kind of intrigued by the military lifestyle,” Griffin said. “It’s always been something I’ve been drawn to. I considered all my different options. When it came down to it, it was what made me happy.”