Editor’s Note: Franklin’s Future is a regular feature spotlighting a high school senior in Franklin County and what they have planned for life after graduation.

Vina High School student Ranzy Baty has tried his best to have a well-rounded high school experience and prepare himself for his future.

The 17-year-old senior said he has enjoyed the years he has spent attending a small school like Vina and the close-knit, family-type atmosphere the school has.

While in high school, he has been part of the National Honor Society, the Leo Club, the honor roll, the school’s band and he was selected to represent VHS at the Alabama Boys State program this past summer.

“Attending Boys State was a good experience because it gave me the chance to learn about politics and it actually taught me things that I didn’t know before then,” he said. “I feel like I understand the political process better.

“It was also good because I was away from home for a week with 599 boys I’d never met, and it forced me to get out of my comfort zone.

“I’ve gone to Vina all my life so I’m used to knowing everyone. Boys State helped me branch out and learn to meet new people, which is good preparation for college. It also allowed me to make some connections, too.”

While Baty was getting prepared for the social aspects of college, he’s already been physically preparing for college through a dual enrollment class he took last year.

“I took a dual enrollment history class through Northwest-Shoals Community College and I’m glad I made the decision to do that because it helps me get ahead,” Baty said, “but it also helps me feel more at ease about making the transition into college.

“It was a way for me to dip my toes in instead of having to jump in all at once.”

And if preparing for college isn’t enough for one high school student, Baty has also been preparing himself for the responsibilities of life as an adult through his part-time job working at Big Star in Red Bay.

“I’ve been working here for a little over a year and, even though it was mostly my parents idea, I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “I like talking to people and I’ve learned a lot of responsibility like time and money management.”

Even though he is fully prepared for life after high school, that doesn’t mean Baty won’t miss the carefree days he’s enjoyed the last three years and will continue to enjoy until he graduates in May.

“I’m going to miss things like seeing my friends on a daily basis, going to Friday night football games and just the whole high school experience,” he said. “You only have this experience once.”

After graduation, Baty said he plans to go to a junior college before transferring to a four-year university.

“I haven’t made any concrete decisions about where I want to go yet,” he said. “I’m still weighing my options.”

But what he does know is that he wants to have a career in the medical field.

“I know I want to work in the medical field because I enjoy helping people and would like to be able to help my community,” he said. “I may do that as a registered nurse or I’ve also thought about becoming a pediatrician.”

Once he has his career settled, Baty said he hoped to stay close to the area but in a bigger city.

“I think living somewhere like Tupelo or Florence would be better because you have more things at your fingertips,” he said. “It would be nice not to have to drive 30 miles just to go to Wal-Mart or out to eat.”

Baty said he enjoys spending time with friends and fishing when he isn’t busy planning the next chapter of his life and the dreams he has for the future.

“Never doubt yourself and what you can do,” Baty said. “Your number one enemy will always be yourself.”

Baty is the son of Charles and LaDonna Baty and he has a younger sister, Elizabeth.