Class of 2011
Current Address: Riverside, Iowa
What is your current job title? Or, what are you currently working on? Naturalist for Washington County Conservation
Share a special memory of your time at Vinton-Shellsburg? The experience of being a member of the cross country team for four years is something I will never forget. There is nothing quite like being a part of the team. It is something I still cherish today and will continue to for years to come. Being a part of the fine arts program for four years was also incredibly memorable. My fondest memory was being a part of the jazz band that qualified for the state competition. That had not been done in over a decade.
Describe how your time at Vinton-Shellsburg has impacted your career/life in a positive way. The Vinton-Shellsburg CSD provided me with opportunities that many smaller or surrounding school districts would not have been able to. I appreciated being able to participate in multiple extracurricular activities simultaneously. Academically, I was challenged as well. Upon completion of my career at Vinton-Shellsburg, I felt prepared for my transition to college, because of both the academic and after-school opportunities afforded to me.
What advice would you give students who are interested in going into a field similar? Conservation is most definitely a difficult field to be a part of. Like with any career path, there are many directions a degree in conservation can take you. My advice is to not give up, once you have chosen which career you wish to pursue. After graduating from college, I transitioned from multiple jobs before landing my current role. It is not easy but is incredibly worthwhile, especially if it is something you are truly passionate about.
Submitted: July 21, 2021
