Jessie Schirrick, Posted June 4, 2014
Each graduating class leaves its mark on this school in its own way, and the class of 2013 was no different. A majority of those students were extremely talented, bright, and athletic. These wonderful young adults took their abilities to new and exciting heights once they left high school. Let’s take a look at where they’ve been, where they are, and where they’re going.
Michael Billingsley was a 4-time wrestling state champ when he graduated last year. Not surprisingly his success in the sport has gone well beyond high school. Billingsley received a full scholarship from the U.S. Air Force Prep Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado to wrestle for their team. He plans on becoming an NCAA All-American for the sport. Billingsley plans on being enrolled for more than four years and studying behavioral science.
Billingsley isn’t the only one that joined the Air Force, Jeremiah Maestrejuan also enlisted in the Fall of 2013.
“I’ve always had a slight interest in the military. I heard a lot of great things about the Air Force so I looked into it and the benefits of joining were really great. I’m serving our country which is satisfying on its own, as well as receiving an education that isn’t coming directly out of my pocket. Part of the benefits I mentioned earlier is receiving either the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, the Montgomery G.I. Bill, or both, which both help pay for schooling. Everything seemed to be heading in the right direction so I pursued it,” said Maestrejuan.
Maestrejuan is currently an Airman Basic and is stationed a the Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX. As part of his job, he inspects aircraft and ensures that are safe and mechanically sound. Maestrejuan enlisted for four years, after which he might just enlist again.
One graduate followed her academic abilities all the way across the country. Sarah Gillespie graduated from Lowry with a 3.9 GPA and it appears that all that hard work paid off as she is currently enrolled in school at Penn State Abington, a commonwealth campus of the Pennsylvania State University. Gillespie currently maintains a 3.6 GPA and is majoring in social psychology.
Denise Ruiz is also pursuing a career in the medical field. She is currently employed at Dr. Debonis’ and Dr. Swensen’s dental office as a dental assistant in Winnemucca.
“I would like to become a hygienist, and I wanted to see what working in the dental field would be like and to see if it would be a career I’m interested in. I love it, it’s a big responsibility and I gain more knowledge about the field every day,” said Ruiz.
She is currently enrolled at Great Basin Community College and she plans on getting into dental hygiene school.
