Arnold looking to be financial planner
TOM PINNEY/DAILY FORUM
Maryville senior Colin Arnold poses near the door leading into the choir room at Maryville High School. Arnold is involved in Spectrum, Hound Howlin’ City, Octagon Club, and National Honor Society at Maryville High School, as well as a few sports teams.
Every morning, Colin Arnold arrives at Maryville High School by 7:20 a.m. to take part in the Hound Howlin’ City class, which teaches different leadership styles to the students and plans the school’s pep assemblies and other student gatherings.
Hound Howlin’ City is only part of who Arnold is. He is involved in Octagon club, Student Council, Spectrum, National Honor Society, and runs track and cross country for the school. All of these clubs contributed to Arnold’s favorite memory throughout his time at Maryville.
“I see the changes I’ve gone through to become who I am and who I want to be,” Arnold said. “That’s my favorite memory of this place; I grew into the person I am today here.”
Arnold, whose favorite class is history, is also involved in the school community as a helper in the Music and Movement class. He said it was great to be part of that class because he liked working with the students in the class.
Outside of MHS, Arnold is heavily involved in community endeavors.
“I am a member of the Laura Street Baptist Church, which is important to me and my family,” Arnold said. “I also go help unload the truck at The Ministry Center and help deliver Meals on Wheels when I can.
“It’s important to get involved in your community not only for networking, but because the community is good about paying you back when you do your part. This community supports me in everything I’ve done since I was young, so I had to pay back in some way.”
Arnold also serves as a lifeguard at the Maryville Aquatic Center during the summer and the Maryville Community Center when the Aquatic Center is closed. When he isn’t working or volunteering, he said he loves listening to Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, and other country artists.
While Maryville has been home for Arnold for his entire life, everyone flies the coop at some point. For Arnold, that means a move to Springfield this fall.
“I’m planning on attending Missouri State University to pursue a degree in business with a focus on financial planning,” Arnold said. “I chose to major in business because it has always come naturally to me, and I chose financial planning because I want to become a financial planner. I’ve known that I want to be a financial planner for a long time now, and my junior year I shadowed JR Kurz of Edward Jones here in Maryville.”
Arnold said he looked at the University of Missouri in Columbia and Kansas State University, but he chose Missouri State because he “felt at home there.” After college, Arnold said he didn’t care where he lived, as long as it was somewhere in the south.
“I really like warm weather,” Arnold said. “I’ve lived in Maryville my whole life, and the cold winters are the main reason I’d love to live somewhere where it’s always warm.”
Throughout his life, Arnold has lived by a simple mantra.
“‘Always put God first, and everything else will fall into place,’” Arnold recalled. “I’ve always lived by this saying, it just fits into my life and informs my actions.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is part of a series spotlighting graduating seniors at Maryville High School. This series will culminate later this spring in the announcement of the “Seniors of the Year” from around the county.