DALLAS, Pa. — They first met in kindergarten, and now they’re in college together.
Caleb Balas, Nikolas Kistner and Alexis McGrady were educated at Hanover Area schools throughout elementary, middle and high school. Coming from a graduating class of 111 students, they frequently saw each other throughout school. Since they each made their college choice individually, they didn’t know they would continue to see each other at Penn State Wilkes-Barre — and all three said it’s nice seeing familiar faces.
“I’ve been in school with Alexis and Caleb since kindergarten and we all kind of know each other. I almost always had classes with Alexis and had a few classes with Caleb, too,” said Nikolas Kistner, who plans to major in criminal justice or criminology. “And now at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, I see them all the time. It was nice to start off knowing some people on campus. I don’t have any classes with Caleb this semester, but I have a few classes with Alexis.”
Balas, an information technology major, said, “It was pretty great to know a couple of students from my old school and see them here. Another friend of mine from Hanover Area also plans to come to Penn State Wilkes-Barre next year.”
McGrady, who is majoring in criminology, said, “We have a lot of mutual friends and have seen each other all throughout school. It’s nice to have somebody you’re familiar with when you go to a new place.”
The students chose Penn State Wilkes-Barre because of its reputation for excellence and the ability to save money by staying at home and commuting.
“I believe it will give me all the opportunities I need to become an IT specialist. And I’ve always been a Penn State fan,” Balas said.
McGrady received a scholarship through the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce that she was able to apply to any school in Luzerne County.
“As I was looking at schools in the area, I decided on Penn State Wilkes-Barre,” she said. “I heard it was a great campus and school.”
Last year, Balas participated in the Lion CUB program at Penn State Wilkes-Barre as a way to get acclimated to college life. The yearlong program helps high school students with the transition to college and provides information on Penn State courses and majors, while also introducing them to their peers before they begin their studies at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.
“I learned that college is a lot different than high school, but they told us the details of how we could be successful in college,” he said. “You have to study and learn how to use your free time. There were a lot of students in Lion CUBs, so I got to meet students from all over.”
The three students were all involved in activities in high school, with Balas in Student Council and National Honor Society and Kistner playing football and basketball. McGrady played volleyball; was Student Council treasurer; was a member of Key Club, Leo Club and yearbook; and served as a track coach with the Unified Club, coaching children with special needs. After starting at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, they took the opportunity to attend the club fair, with plenty of options to choose from to get involved. Balas opted for the Blue and White Society; Kistner chose Students For Justice and THON; and McGrady signed up for THON, Lion Ambassadors, Student Government Association and Students For Justice.
So far, their college experience is off to a great start. They noted they enjoy their classes and teachers, with McGrady saying, “Everyone has been very welcoming and I feel very comfortable.”
Kistner said, “The New Student Orientation and New Student Day helped me know where I needed to go and how everything works, and let me explore a little more about where I’m going.”
Balas said, “It’s been a good experience and I’m having fun. There are events I can take part in every day, too.”
All three students are working in addition to their studies, with Kistner and McGrady sometimes seeing each other at work, too. He works as a cook at Red Robin, where she is also a server. She also works at TJ Maxx as a stocker. Balas, who has autism, works for the JumpStart Food Cart. The cart helps young adults with special needs transition into workplace by teaching job skills, independence and self-esteem. Balas prepares food, helps set up the cart for the day at various locations and assists with selling food items.
After their first two years at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, life may take them in different directions. McGrady plans to head to University Park, Balas wants to stay at the Wilkes-Barre campus and Kistner is still deciding. Kistner hopes to attend the Pennsylvania State Police academy, Balas wants to be an IT specialist, and McGrady would like to be a criminal profiler with the FBI.