Across West High, students are preparing for a wide range of future careers, from engineering to entrepreneurship. Through a series of interviews, they shared their motivation, goals and aspirations. This is an inside look at what current Wahawks are doing to turn their dreams into a reality.
Emma Teare Wants to Be an Animator
Q: What inspired you to pursue animating? What interests you?
A: What inspired me was the amazing Sonic the Hedgehog franchise from SEGA! For almost six years, I’ve found inspiration and entertainment in the shows, movies, games, artworks and artists featured in the series, and from that spark, I’ve wanted to do the same for others. I love movement, observing how animations are formed and expressing certain ideas. I want, someday, for someone to see something I helped create and become inspired by it. My goal is entertainment and amusement, after all! Sure, it may be silly, but if a spiky blue needlemouse can change my life and make me who I am, I want to assist in doing the same for others!
Q: What are the steps you plan on taking to become an animator?
A: As of now, I’ve, of course, been developing my own artworks and teaching myself to animate in my free time. But, I’ve also been studying Richard Williams’ book, “The Animator’s Survival Kit.” I’m doing my best to take art classes during my high school years, to push myself towards what I love and want for myself. That may involve college, and I have a couple of schools that will direct me to digital animation in the future. However, with the lack of actual in-state options, I’m still seeing what works best for me. Until then, I’ll do my best to better myself!
Q: What skills are needed to animate?
A: As for skills, it very much depends in my opinion. For me, however, as a currently 2D artist, I’d definitely have to learn techniques, creativity, teamwork skills, efficiency skills, etc. It will probably become much clearer for me as time passes and I encounter what I need to learn, but I’m sure many of my classes will help me discover what works for me in this field. I’ll just have to see what’s required of me!
Q: What do you think would be the most rewarding part of creating animations professionally?
A: I am unsure if I can actually name a “most” rewarding part if I were to become an animator. Working for a confident, quick-footed, persistent, freedom-giving and encouraging cobalt rodent (Sonic) may sound silly to some, but that thing exactly has formed me into my current self. The greatest reward for working in this career is inspiring others with the same feelings I had when I was younger. If you can find what you desire in a career and push yourself towards it in a self-expressive way, I believe you can truly achieve the things in life that you want.
Q: What is one thing you do now to prepare yourself for being in this field? What are some roadblocks you might encounter?
A: There are several issues encountered with the advancement of technology. And…well, artificial intelligence. With AI becoming so quickly favored and strongly encouraged to be used, it can be scary as to what can happen with the animation industry. With the SEGA/Sonic Team, however, which hasn’t resorted to AI for the blue blur, I find myself still hoping for the best. Things are rough – I want to keep making others smile, keep surprising others and keep in mind what the human mind can really do. We’ve encountered technology being scary with animation before, and yet, people still are animators in professional businesses (Disney, Pixar and other companies) today, not much showing how scary the technology really was. I’m sure we will get past this, too, somehow, with many still employed in the animation industry.
Lily Batterson Wants to Be an Author or an Art Teacher
Q: What inspired you to pursue being an art teacher or an author?
A: I’m interested in being an author because I have a family member who wrote and published a children’s book, and also because I love to read, and I want to be able to make my own book. I also want to be an elementary art teacher because I have a lot of family members who were/are teachers, professors, principals, etc., and I wanted to follow that trend by teaching something I spend a lot of my time doing.
Q: What are the steps you plan on taking to achieve these goals?
A: As an author, I took advanced English classes in middle school, and I’m taking an advanced English class this year as well. I’m planning on majoring in teaching in college and minoring in art and possibly creative writing.
Q: What skills are needed for these careers?
A: I would say that there are fewer skills needed to be an author than a teacher. Anybody can write and make a story, but you need to go to school to become a teacher. To be an author, you just need to know the basic skills of comprehension and forming sentences. With being an art teacher, you need communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving and all the basic social skills you get taught in kindergarten, which could be difficult in some ways. Most kids are harder to communicate with, and if I want to be able to communicate with kids K-5, then I would need to adapt to the different styles and different kids.
Q: What do you think would be the most rewarding part of these careers?
A: I’d say that the most rewarding part of being an author would be getting your book published. That in itself is huge. But something even bigger than that would be able to see your book on shelves. As a teacher, especially one who teaches six grades, the most rewarding part would be to see how the students’ art would grow and advance over the years.
Q: What is one thing you do now to prepare yourself for teaching kids or writing?
A: Currently, I write little paragraphs that I will eventually put together to make a book. I make characters, stories, plots and twists. I also draw in notebooks and sketchbooks, redoing things I know I’m good at and also working on things I need to improve on.
Megan Sommerfelt Wants to Be a Private Investigator
Q: What inspired you to pursue private investigating?
A: I was inspired by watching numerous crime-related TV shows and movies.
Q: What are the steps you plan on taking to reach your goal?
A: I plan to earn an Associate’s Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Hawkeye and then attend the Police Academy. I’ll have to start as an Officer and then hopefully work my way up to a Homicide Detective.
Q: What skills are needed in this field?
A: You have to think outside the box with this career because you need to understand everything.
Q: What do you think would be the most rewarding part of being an Investigator?
A: I think knowing that families will have justice for the murders of their loved ones will help me feel best rewarded.
Q: What is one thing you do now to prepare yourself for this career?
A: I need to prepare myself with hard work and long days so that I may solve cases as quickly and efficiently as possible.
James Knight Wants to Be an Aerospace Engineer
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career Aerospace Engineering?
A: The reason I am pursuing this career is my fascination with aircraft. Since the 7th grade, I have been intrigued by aircraft history and the physics that make these engineering marvels fly.
Q: What are the steps you plan on taking to become involved in this field?
A: Most of the steps toward this career have already been achieved. I have participated in a week-long Aerospace Engineering Camp, I had an aerospace-related internship with NASA this summer, and I participate in AFJROTC as a way to bring me closer to the aerospace industry and career field. I have also applied to many colleges in hopes of being accepted and attending one for Aerospace Engineering.
Q: What different skills are needed for this career?
A: The skills needed for this field vary depending on what you intend to do, but basic skills involve being good at mathematics and physics.
Q: What do you think would be the most rewarding part of this?
A: I think the most rewarding part of this career for me is getting to be involved with something that has such a large impact on society. Aerospace Engineering works with aircraft, rockets, and even making cars more aerodynamic and efficient. This career plays a role in stuff used by people all over the world.
Q: What is one thing you do now to prepare yourself for this career?
A: Something I do now to prepare myself for this career is learning as much about the parts of the career I can, so that I have a better understanding when I go to college to pursue this career.
Katie Mannion Wants to Be a Mechanic
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in mechanics?
A: What inspired me to choose my career is my dad since he’s a mechanic, I grew up helping him on things as a kid. At a young age I realized I enjoyed it and kept doing it until now. Also because I love working hands on with things. In addition, last year I did took ignite and liked it then this year i’m taking the new age industrial tech class.
Q: What are the steps you plan on taking to become involved in this field?
A: The steps I plan on taking are to keep doing what I’m doing, but then eventually do it all by myself without having anyone around to watch me and do bigger things.
Q: What different skills are needed for this career?
A: The skills you would need are to know how to use the equipment and understand measurements, and to make sure you understand what you’re doing.
Q: What do you think would be the most rewarding part of this?
A: I feel like the most rewarding part is when you get extra credit for doing something that you didn’t need to do. You just did it for fun or just getting extra credit in general.
Aaden Meaders Wants to Be a Barber
Q: What inspired you to pursue this career/interest?
A: You can be so creative with it and meet a bunch of new people. It takes a while to make it look good, but it’s fun. It’s a unique career too; I don’t know many people who do it.
Q: What are the steps you plan on taking to achieve this?
A: I plan on taking classes at the WCC and cutting my friend’s hair. I’m trying to get in as much practice as possible.
Q: What skills are needed in this field?
A: Communication and patience is needed. I have to communicate with clients to figure out what they want, and have patience with myself while I’m still learning.
Q: What do you think would be the most rewarding part of this career?
A: Definitely having new clients and being proud of the work I’m doing.
Q: What is one thing you do now to prepare yourself for this career?
A: Just cutting a friend’s hair and watching YouTube videos. I’ve also been taking inspiration from other people at West who cut hair.
Each student has a unique path, shaped by their own drive and ambition. Together, their stories highlight how to stay determined and get creative when reaching for your goals. These students show us their commitment to growing themselves and striving towards a meaningful future.
