With the end of the school year quickly approaching, hallways are abuzz with seniors talking about where they are headed next year for college. People often forget that there are other paths lying ahead for their classmates, including gap years and entering career fields. Brady Lanahan and Yuri Chavez are two hard-working seniors pursuing unique post-graduation tracks.

Lanahan, CEO and founder of software company Polyfy, will be moving to Florida this June to continue to expand his business and seek out new opportunities near the Tampa area. 

“Our purpose is to push the boundaries of what software can do and make a real impact on the world through our solutions,” Lanahan said. 

His idea for the company originated in seventh grade, stemming from his passion for technology, computer science and independence. Since then, he has decided that this is something he wants to do full-time after seeing exponential growth coming out of his hard work. 

“One of our biggest achievements was hitting 1 billion interactions on our Snapchat filters… it’s amazing to see that people are enjoying them so much,” he said. 

Polyfy has partnered with influencers and celebrities like Jake Paul and Antonio Brown in the past. Along with his team of experienced engineers, Lanahan plans to expand the company’s client base next year, continue to develop innovative software solutions and reach 2 billion interactions. 

Chavez is also working following graduation and is taking a gap year while employed at Sterman Masser Inc, a potato packaging and distribution business based in Sacramento, PA. 

She was first  employed during the summer of 2021 after being introduced to the company by her father, who had worked there since she was little. She has previously worked to package deliveries and make sure every order was correct, though next year she will be working full-time and was offered a higher position of superior/translator.

“Following my gap year I would like to go to Central Pennsylvania’s Community College for two to four years and get my Master’s degree in business,” Chavez said. 

When she transferred to Dulaney in the fall of 2022, Chavez worried about feeling out of place in a new school for her senior year, but the Dulaney community made her feel welcome. She is excited for the equally welcoming environment at Sterman Masser Inc. and to have time to herself before going back to school. 

“Something that people tell me is that if I take this gap year I’ll lose motivation in going back to school. I feel as if I take this year to focus on myself, I’ll be happier and willing to focus on what I want to accomplish,” Chavez said. 

Best of luck to these Dulaney seniors embarking on professional journeys next year.

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