Staff writer
Like birds headed out of the nest to make homes of their own, 2016 graduates of Marion High School are about to spread their wings and go off to find their futures.
Reann Hamm will go to University of Kansas to study atmospheric science. It’s a fascination she’s had since she was a youngster.
“When I was little I had books about tornadoes, and it was interesting,” she said.
Her ultimate goal is to become meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
“I like the science behind it, and the atmosphere was always interesting to me,” Reann said.
Although she hasn’t done any weather spotting, living in Kansas has given her the opportunity to see many “weird things.”
The most frightening weather phenomenon was a funnel cloud that passed over her family’s home.
“It never dropped down, thankfully,” Reann said.
William Adame, meanwhile, is headed to Jacksonville, Florida, to study underwater welding.
When he was a youngster in California, he loved being in water. He also loves welding. His career choice lets him have the best of both interests.
“I’ve been wanting to weld almost all my life,” William said. “I took classes in high school and also took a college course through Hutchinson Community College in Hillsboro.”
He considered other options, but when his mother reminded him of an earlier interest in underwater welding, he researched the small number of schools offering the training. He decided on CDA Technical Institute’s six-month maritime and industrial welding course.
“I looked at what they would be teaching me and what I would be doing later on, and this one seemed like the best course,” William said.
When he completes his training, he could find work doing military contracts, working overseas, building submarines or battleships, or working on offshore drilling rigs.
“I could do anything and go anywhere,” he said.
He thinks military contract work is most likely to keep him in the United States. He considers that the best possibility, but he’ll make his final decision based on what jobs are offered.
Nicholas Stuchlik also enjoys hands-on work but hopes to pursue a four-year degree in mechanical engineering technology at Kansas State Polytechnic in Salina.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and building stuff.” Nicholas said. “I’ve been able to understand mechanical work, and that’s what appeals to me.”