In this recurring monthly special, Nonahood News will be featuring those who’ve graduated from Lake Nona High School and will recognize the achievements they’ve made since. Some will have been a part of the first graduating class. Others might have graduated a few years later. Few have stayed in the Lake Nona area, and many have explored the world or are still doing so. Let’s see where life’s journey has taken them so far!

Age: 26

Year Graduated: 2011

Occupation: Internal Sales Department at Southern Safety & Supply and Writer for Gators Territory

Current Location: Orlando, FL

Lake Nona checked all the boxes for Conner Clarke’s parents when they were looking for a good area in which Clarke and his sister could grow up and find opportunities. Clarke lived in the area until a year ago and is now looking to make his way back to Lake Nona. Let’s get to know him and his story since his time at Lake Nona High School.

While he was a student at Lake Nona, Clarke’s vision for himself after high school was focused on sports: “I always wanted to … graduate college and even thought I’d be playing college football after high school, and then eventually working in the sports industry, getting paid to do what I love. I grew up a diehard Florida Gators fan, so I always saw myself doing anything in the industry surrounding the team! I couldn’t imagine a better job than getting paid full time to be a part of a culture that excites and fuels my passion every day.”

Although he was offered the chance to play college football, Clarke decided to take a different path when it came to his career but still maintained his vision.

“When entering college, I went back and forth numerous times with what I wanted to major in and what I wanted to do with my life, and it wasn’t easy settling on one thing. So, early in my college career, I took various different off-the-wall courses to kind of rule things out. However, one thing remained constant – I knew at some point in my life I wanted to do something in sports. After a while, I finally settled on my business major while also taking some courses in sports management.”

After graduating from the University of Central Florida, Clarke took on the role of running the internal sales department at his father’s well-established, contractor safety supply business – Southern Safety & Supply – where he was able to gain essential experience in honing his skills for sales. 

“After graduating from UCF, I still wasn’t quite sure of exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I enjoyed being around sports, so I went back to Lake Nona and was given an opportunity to help coach at my alma mater for a year. During that time, I learned a lot about myself that would help me in the future. But after that year was up, I was at a crossroads and had to decide what to do in starting my professional career. I knew I enjoyed interacting with people [be]cause it was something that just came naturally to me, and I had quite a bit of experience after working at the local Publix for over 9 years, so sales seemed like a perfect fit.”

And a few months ago, Clarke accomplished one of his post-high school goals of working in the sports industry; he accepted a part-time position as a writer for Gators Territory!

“I was offered the part-time position as a writer for Gators Territory because of the connections I made and information I shared over the last few years on social media relating to the Florida Gators. Everything may not have gone as I had planned out in high school, but nothing ever really does.”

He also hit another huge milestone in his life by getting engaged on Aug. 11. He told Nonahood News, “I am so happy to have found someone along the way who supports me and had decided to grow with me on this journey.”

For fun, Clarke plays basketball on Sunday mornings with a few friends who graduated alongside of him in Lake Nona. “I also still play football and enjoy going to the gym with my beautiful fiancé,” Clarke noted.

Looking at the road ahead, Clarke has more goals he’s striving for and is ready to accomplish them both personally and professionally. “In the next five years, I see myself reaching my goal of doing what I love by covering the Florida Gators full-time. I also see myself being able to travel and enjoying time with my loved ones and beginning a beautiful life with my fiancé; maybe that means starting a family of my own. Now that I’m engaged, my biggest goal is to be the best husband I can be and eventually a father when we choose to have kids.”

Written for current and future Lake Nona alumni. Check back in our next issue to learn about the next featured Nona graduate(s)! Go Lions!