Where are you from?
New Sharon, Iowa.
Why did you choose Kirkwood?
My FFA teacher pushed me to go to Kirkwood.
What is your major and how did you choose it?
Diesel Truck Technician, I have my CDL and have been driving semi for the past year and enjoy working on the trucks on the weekends.
What has been your proudest moment at Kirkwood?
Seeing what the faculty does for the students. I have always strived for good grades but I also see a lot of students who don’t care and the faculty at Kirkwood pushes these students to be their best.
What are your plans after Kirkwood?
I would like to own my own semi at some point in time but I plan to work in a diesel shop extending my learning by getting out there and getting real world knowledge.
What inspires or motivates you?
My family is my biggest inspiration. Not just to get good grades but to be the best I am no matter what I do. My dad has always pushed me to be a leader and looking at where I am now, I have no doubts I won’t be exactly that.
Tell us about who you are outside of Kirkwood – hobbies, family, other interests, etc.
I am involved with a few extracurricular activities here at Kirkwood. I am the vice president of the Diesel Power Club and I shoot on the Kirkwood Trap Shooting team. I recently started a new job at GTG Peterbilt and I am involved with activities back home yet, including the Mahaska County C.E.R.T Team (Community Emergency Response Team) on which I am a Captain and Board Member, and I also still go home on the weekends and work for the same company I have been with for almost five years now.
What does being named an Outstanding Student mean to you?
Being an Outstanding Student isn’t just a great GPA. It’s getting your work completed on time, its showing up to that 8 a.m. class you don’t want to get up for. It also has nothing to do with school work. Picking up that pile of papers for the kid that just tripped, holding the door open for someone without being asked. Character, respect and kindness go a long way. Go that extra mile for someone you don’t know, do what is expected of you and then some. That is what an outstanding student is to me.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I never in my life would have thought I would be in college. I have said for the past three years that I wanted to get my CDL and drive right out of high school. If I hadn’t been pushed by some amazing faculty members at my high school then I never would’ve been able to be in the position I am now. I hope that all the teachers out there know that they are making an impact on the future of this world whether they know it or not. I have been blessed to be a part of a great family here at Kirkwood. I have met some amazing people that I call friends, and some teachers that want to see me excel in whatever I do.
Categories: Outstanding Students
