From fashion school, to runways to even a holistic institute, more than 33 Cal High seniors are jump-starting their careers this fall.

Senior Tory Grove is a perfect example. She started modeling for a small agency in Danville when she was in seventh grade.

Since her first photo shoot, Tory has had many jobs in the studio and on the runway.

“I don’t consider it a job or work at all,” said Tory, who views modeling as a fun hobby.

This summer, Tory is trying out for a modeling agency in Milan, Italy. The agency would keep her busy with modeling jobs through the fall so she could start school at the Academy of Art in San Francisco in the spring of 2008.

Cal seniors who will also attend the Academy of Art this fall include Bryan Elston, Jared Jethmal and Alicia Von Der Lieth.

While some students plan to walk down runways, others plan to design the runway clothing.

Senior Val Chang plans to major in fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in San Francisco next year.

There are many differences between FIDM and a state or UC school. Val chose a specific fashion school because of the difference in the required general education classes.

“I don’t need to take trigonometry or something,” said Val. “But at FIDM, the GE math class is for fashion measurements.”

Besides having more applicable classes for her future career, Val says she already knows what she wants to do and doesn’t feel she should waste time on GE classes she won’t need.

“The most valuable asset (from vocational schools like FIDM) is the connections in the industry,” said fashion teacher Shanin McKavish. “Networking is what gets you the real job.”

After taking fashion design and fashion merchandising with McKavish at Cal, Val entered a dress she designed in the Business Roundtable contest for the home economics category this year and won.

“It was incredible to see Val’s process, creativity and problem solving,” said McKavish.

Other seniors attending FIDM next year are Nieka Tajer, Chelsie Garcia, Erica Sempolski, Stephanie Fong, Kathleen Straw, Lauren Henry and Stephanie Schmidt.

A few seniors recently found their calling in salons.

Senior Vanessa Wereda is enrolled in Paris Beauty School in Concord. She has been working on hair, make up, skin care and nails there since August.

Vanessa needs 1,600 hours of work and classes to graduate. She currently works 20 hours a week and plans to devote even more hours there by summer so she can graduate by next year.

“I wanted to get started (with beauty school) as soon as possible,” said Vanessa.

Vanessa has a very supportive family. In addition, she also gets ROP funding from Cal High and she only pays for her supply kit.

Other seniors planning to go to beauty school next year are Akkhaphong Wikaikul, Jenna Blanchietti and Lindsey Peck.

Some students have even more unique plans for next year.

Senior Eli Runnels will be commuting to the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville.

“My friends suggested massage therapy because I give them massages all the time,” said Eli.

Eli plans to finish massage therapy school in about a year and a half then major in English at DVC to become a teacher while working at a spa on the side for the good money and tips.

“It will be fun being able to do what I want without taking too much time and money to do it,” said Eli.

Senior Jon Thom is going to be starting his career sooner than most. At the end of the summer, he will follow in his father’s footsteps to become a mechanic and test for placement with an elevator installation company.

“(Elevator installation isn’t) something you hear about a lot,” said Jon. “But elevator mechanics are needed for almost every building around here.”

After the test, Jon will be an apprentice for four years, which entails 40 hours of work and one class per week.

Jon will be doing elevator maintenance, mechanics, wiring and installation starting at $25 per hour.

Even though these seniors chose to take a different path they are confident they will succeed in their respected careers.