Where Did They Go?

Saturday May 7th, we said goodbye to 120 seniors as they take the next step forward in the journey that is their life. They are all special people with strong connections at St. Andrews having survived four years with the cloud of accreditation issues hanging over their heads. Many of them came to St Andrews because of the Equestrian program and have spent four years riding horses, organizing horse shows, participating in horse shows, volunteering for Therapeutic Horsemanship, participating in non equine activities such as choir or theater and fitting in some study time to earn a degree in Business Administration, Biology, Psychology, or Sport and Recreation.

The Therapeutic Horsemanship (TH) majors are headed into a TH or an equine related job. Kathryn Sorgenfrei will be joining December graduate Laura Dyer at Heads Up! Therapeutic Riding Center in Pittsboro NC. Heads up! is a NARHA premier accredited center. Laura and Kate will be working to build the program. Fiona Lindsey Delfino is going to Florida to serve as Director of Horses Helping People (HOPE) in Archer, Florida. “I am so excited,” said Fi “I found this job doing research for my equine business management project. I called them up and it has turned out to be a perfect fit. It is 20 minutes from my Dad’s house and as I turned in the driveway I just had a great feeling about the facility and after I met everyone I felt even better about it.” Liz Dulski is taking her considerable teaching skills to Camp Seafarer in Arapahoe, NC. The campers are lucky to have such a talented teacher on the staff. All these graduates were student leaders in the Ride-Like-A-Knight Therapeutic Riding program as well as participating in other campus activities.

Students in the Business Administration program some doing straight business and some with a Specialization in Equine Business Management are headed in several different directions. Audrey Bolte is serving as Equestrian Director with Rockbrook Camp for Girls in Brevard, NC. St. Andrews sends several horses to this camp which Audrey will be responsible for as well as running the equestrian part of the camp. Audrey’s good friend Audrey Hayden is taking a different path she is going to work for EMO Equine Insurance Agency in Warrenton, VA. “I already sent them a new customer,” said Audrey, “Bri bought a new horse and needed insurance. I was able to refer her to EMO.” Both Audreys contributed a lot to the equestrian program, serving as Riding Council Officers riding on the ANRC and IHSA teams and both are very tall! Amanda Ligouri accepted a position as barn manager at Stepping Stone farm in Andover, NJ. “It is fairly close to my home and is exactly what I was looking for out of college.” said Amanda. “I can't believe that four years have gone by so fast, but they will never be forgotten, that's for sure. “ Amanda was a member of the IHSA hunter seat team and spent many hours at the barn taking care of the horses.

Jesse Elliot and Kate Hollingsworth chose to get “regular” jobs to support their horse habit. Jesse has been offered a job as Marketing Assistant for Atlantic Seaboard Corporation in Wilmington, NC and Kate has accepted a position at Stage Stores as an Executive Trainee in South Hill, VA. After training Kate will become a store manager.

Kelsey Moody who served as Riding Council President and a team leader for the western team studied psychology at St. Andrews. Kelsey came to school with considerable equestrian experience and has been a motivator and supporter of her team mates and fellow equestrians. During her time at school Kelsey rode on the IHSA western and hunter seat teams and would do Reining demonstrations at various events sometimes bridle less! Kelsey has accepted a job with the Children’s Special Services for occupational therapy in Atlanta, GA. Her plans also include going to Brenau University’s graduate school to pursue a masters in occupational therapy.

Marisa Hughes who graduated with honors with a degree in Biology with a Specialization in Equine Science has a job as a veterinary assistant at Crofton Veterinary Center in Maryland. “I need to do the small animal stuff as well as the horses to get into Vet school so this is a great job for me.” Marisa rode on both the hunter seat and western IHSA teams at St. Andrews.

Philip Ratchford is not going anywhere. He graduated with a degree in Sport and Recreation Studies and has been hired by St. Andrews to serve in Sports Information. Phil was an officer of the Therapeutic Horsemanship club, rode western, sang in the choir, performed in college productions, assisted with scoring at college games and just like all the students in this article was active in supporting his peers in all their endeavors both on and off a horse.