Senior Profile: Caroline Edge

By the time senior Caroline Edge first grasped the concept of high school, she knew she’d want a break after it. To her eight-year-old-self, over a decade of arduous schooling would deserve a breather. But not a boring one.

To Edge, she’s putting her own spin on the meaning of the gap year.

She plans to expand her boundaries through a three-month trip to Africa, make money through several months of horse wrangling at a Colorado ranch and finally to further develop her painting abilities through internships.

She knows now is the perfect time for the journey.

“Not many people get the chance to do things like this when you’re older,” Edge said. “So I thought going to these amazing places and opening myself up now, rather than later would be beneficial both ways.”

This attitude is what led Edge to her decision to embark on part one of her gap year. She plans to go to Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya for a month each, filling her days by living with tribes, teaching English to African children, assisting at rhino sanctuaries and camping in pop-up tents throughout.

Following her Africa trip, Edge plans to work somewhere close to her heart. As a horse wrangler at C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, Colorado, she hopes to build her autonomy and self-reliance, with the added bonus of working with her favorite animals in one of her favorite places.

Part three of Edge’s trip is focused on expanding on her painting and illustrating skills. To her, it’s the most important part of her gap year, being the one that will shape her future the most.

“My whole life has been art, there was no beginning,” Edge said. “Art was always there with me, and I really want to be built up by the time I go to college.”

Edge recently was accepted to the Savannah College of Art and Design, starting after her gap year in the fall of 2019, and knows her skills will have to be at their highest level. She plans to continue her internship with artist Bill Rose, and begin new ones with other artists as well.

To her, the unique three-part gap year experience won’t only prepare her for college, but also for life. As a self-declared quiet person by nature, Edge wants to escape her comfort zone, and become a changed person for the better in the process.

“I really want to move out of my bubble this year,” Edge said. “I think that throwing myself into these crazy places and amazing activities will pop that bubble.”