Plan Your Way OK

What are your interests and hobbies?
I am interested in reading and creating art.

What activity do you enjoy the most during the summer?
Playing video games, going on summer vacations and visiting Denver, Colorado.

What is your preferred summer drink?
Lemon and cucumber water.

If I were to provide you with $50,000 to create a positive impact in your community, how would you use it to bring about meaningful change?
I would donate the money to my band class at Broken Bow High School. The band class must hold fundraisers and other events to raise the additional funds needed for band activities throughout the year.

Have you ever had any prior work experience or volunteer opportunities?
Yes. In high school, I cleaned the chemistry lab as part of my work experience. I also washed cars during a fundraiser for my band class, and I sold items door to door to support band fundraising efforts.

Could you share your experience working in a chemistry lab while in high school?
When cleaning the lab, I had to follow specific instructions to ensure safety—for myself and others working in the lab. I made sure all materials were put away correctly and stored in their proper locations to prevent accidents, such as the mixing of incompatible chemicals.

What were the most valuable lessons you took away from your experience in the chemistry lab?
I learned how to stay organized and follow instructions carefully. I also learned how to correct mistakes and what actions to take in case of an emergency in the lab. Most importantly, I gained experience in maintaining a clean and organized workspace.

Now that you’ve completed your work in the high school chemistry lab, what are your plans moving forward?
I plan to continue adding work experiences to my resume, including what I gained through the BEST STEP Summer 2025 Program. I am currently attending Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT).

What is your dream career?
After graduating from OSUIT, I plan to enter the technology industry and work for an established company. I want to learn, adapt to the company’s needs, and provide excellent service to customers.

Can you share one challenge you’ve faced due to your disability and how you managed to overcome it?
I face hearing challenges due to hearing impairment in my right ear. At school, I manage this by sitting at the front of the classroom and using a hearing aid called, “Shokz.”

What advice or tips would you like to share with other youth?
As an artist, I had to learn how to be patient. My advice to other youth is: be patient, don’t rush, and things will work out in the end.

What is the most significant goal or dream you wish to achieve in your lifetime?
I want to have my artwork seen by the public and to share my artistic skills with others.

How do you approach seeking and embracing new opportunities for personal growth and development?
I start with the easiest parts of a new topic to build my understanding, and then I gradually work into the harder parts. For example, when I started learning art, I began with pencil drawings, then moved into shading and coloring, and eventually advanced to more complex artwork.

What would you like the world to know about you?
I would like the world to know about my artwork and my artistic abilities.

Is there anyone specific you’d like to give a shoutout to?
I would like to give a shoutout to my art teacher, Mr. Persinger, from Broken Bow High School.