My passion has always been in the mountains, although I have enjoyed working in the theater and will probably continue doing so, at least to some degree, I am following the map God has laid out for me. I love the mountains, I love the outdoors, I love the features and life in it. Learning about these features has inspired me to pursue them.
In sophomore biology I was the one eager to get involved, especially when the labs took us into the field to get a firsthand look at the topic of study. Going to Wiser Lake, Fish-trap Creek, and the Nooksack River were highlights for me. Washington State History was instructed by Mr. Jasper. He was a man I could relate to when it came to the history of our state; he involved the class and made the story of Washington come alive. I was given the opportunity to teach his class one day, the topic was the history of the Upper Skagit River Valley, a place in our state that has seen everything from the footsteps of Native American Tribes to the Rush of water as Seattle City Light flooded the valley after the completion of Ross Dam
Although I was not officially in Senior Biology I did what I could to follow the topic of study at the time. However because of my plans I decided to take Earth Science instead. If I had to name a class that has influenced me the most this would be the number one! My life will be spent in the middle of all the material covered by Mr. Kredit. I was disappointed when I was not able to accompany the Senior Biology class on the trip to the peninsula, but that is one of the things that I had to face because of my decision to take a class more relevant to my future. I have said a lot about my future, now you are probably wondering what my future holds for me.
I will be attending Skagit Valley College next year, I will be pursuing two certificates: the first being Parks Service and protection, this program will train and prepare me for visitor and resource operations and protection at all levels of government and private forestry agencies. I will then continue on to The Parks Law Enforcement Academe at Skagit Valley College, one of only nine federally accredited Academies in the country. This Academy will allow me to specialize in parks law enforcement among various agencies in the law enforcement community.
Earth Science combined with Mr. Kredit's experiences working in the National Parks Service has helped guide me to this decision. I have always been in the parks and each time I am in them I feel that this is where I am supposed to be. I decided to pursue the National Parks Service several Years ago, I can't remember exactly when, it may have been before high school; none the less what I have seen and learned in recent years has driven me to this field. Now after four years of study in high school the rest of life’s studies awaits.
During my journey at Lynden Christian I have gotten several opportunities that are unique. Without determination and dedication this would not be possible. I have traveled down the path of high school and will soon travel a new path in college. The trail outlined here is the Pacific Crest Trail, I spent six years traveling down this trail completing it only last summer. When I think back on my life at Lynden Christian I can visualize a trail, filled with obstacles, switchbacks, endless beauty, and pinnacles that allow you to take a glimpse of what lies ahead.
I start my journey along the Pacific Crest Trail at the Columbia River, on the Boarder of Washington and Oregon. When I entered high school knew a little of what to expect, after all my brother Tim had just graduated from it. But like all freshmen I had no clue how things operated in this environment. Before long however I got used to the new routine and started down the trail. Then came my first vista, I went up to the tech-booth. Because of the path that Tim had blazed for me it wasn't long before Mike Vos and Kai Iaconetti had me running systems right along with them. This was the start of my path on the tech crew.
Freshmen year came and went in a flash. I was moving along at a pretty good pace, managing the workload easily, getting on the honor roll for both semesters. I had the opportunity to go on the choir tour down to California, this was another vista of my year. I earned my first letter in Cross Country, and I finished the spring musical. I did track my freshmen year earning myself a letter in that as well. Before I knew it I was finishing the first section of my high school trail selecting the path for the upcoming year.
This was the last year that I would get to work with Mike Vos on the tech crew, I enjoyed working with him on the crew, we would often work during class to get the WFAC ready for the next event. At the time this did not effect my grades, of course it helped that I didn't have to do all the work myself.
The first semester came and went in my sophomore year without much excitement, it would be the second semester that would start to test me, this is where I encountered a bridge that was out.
I had started to notice my grades slipping in two subjects. In biology I could identify what the problem was; the problem was me, I had slacked off and as a result my grades reflected that. I proved to myself that I could work hard and got my grades back where they belonged. The second class was a frustration; math has never been good to me. I saw my grades slipping; the frustration came when I found that I could not control the drop without help. Mrs. Olson came along side me and guided me through the material. I was able to pass the class but only by a slim margin. This was my first taste of a struggle that I still deal with today.
Putting aside the grades I enjoyed my sophomore year. I did not take track, I got board running around in circles, instead I started helping Mr. Kredit at the meets. I was again impressed and inspired by the way Mr. Kredit operates, his ability to lead is something I have tried to model. The musical for the year was The Scarlet Pimpernel, This was Mike Vos' last show and we were determined to make it stand out. I brought a proposal in front of a committee to invest $8,000 in new lighting equipment. This would add to and update the existing fixtures. The proposal was passed and we soon had the control and technology we needed to set us apart from the rest of the high schools and community theaters around Whatcom County. Our efforts played off, Mike Vos and I were awarded a design award from 5th Avenue.
This highlight marked the end of my sophomore year. I had become comfortable with my stride and the pack seemed to be getting lighter.
The next section of trail would be the longest; in my junior year I had several core classes that needed to be completed. I knew what to expect. I was now an upperclassman, although what status that has I'm not sure.
Cross Country had a strong team, we new from the start that we would go far. This was the first team to bring both the boys and girls teams to state back to back. We continued our streak of firsts by bringing home the first ever boy’s team trophyI was working alone now on the tech crew. I was given a free period to work in the WFAC as not to interfere with my classes. Working alone I designed the sound scheme for the spring musical, the system I would be operating during the show. But my big accomplishment this year was creating a light design that defied a traditional musical like Fiddler on the Roof. Again 5th Avenue Theater recognized me and I was nominated to receive an award for Best Lighting Design in the northwest!
My junior year went out much like my sophomore year did, only this time I was moving on to the last section of trail!
This is the year to remember! My senior year has been filled with many opportunities, everything from actually being in a class with Mr. Kredit to getting the chance of a lifetime, singing on the stage of Carnegie Hall in New York City.
I must mention Cross Country one last time, the team was again strong. However a barrier fell across my trail. The day before the biggest race of the season I was hit with swine flue and was forced to sit out the race. I was not the only one on the team that was forced to watch their last big meet flew past. I made it to state with the team, unfortunately one of my teammates did not; this gave me the opportunity to practice something that I have learned about myself as a leader, encouragement.I moved on after Cross Country to another monument for me. One word Aida… This would be the biggest musical Lynden Christian has ever attempted to do. I was determined to make it my best show I had ever done, and I can safely say that this became a reality. I spent thousands of hours researching, planning, designing, rigging, and programming this show. Tonight I will find out weather or not I have been nominated or recognized by 5th Avenue Theater!
Yes Aida was a big summit for me, something that I am proud of, but the biggest event and opportunity of not only high school, but of my life came from choir.
The Lynden Christian Concert Choir went on tour, to a city known as New York and while in New York we received the honor of singing on the most famous stage in the world, Carnegie Hall! We worked hard all year to prepare for this trip, in the end every note was worth it!
Now we have arrived to where I am now, standing before you. My trip to the end of the trail is not yet over; there are still a few days left. After i leave this room I am not done with high school. Just as on the trail I am not done until I pass the last mile marker. God has marked every mile of my journey through high school. I look back at my accomplishments and even my shortcomings and can't help but smile, four years ago I wasn't sure how to get through the week, now there are just two left. The next path is waiting for me; it’s about time to start packing.
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