Advertisement

Student ‘Dream Career’ essays recognized at state level

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

In the “Teaching Today WI” publication’s Dream Career Essay Contest, Prairie du Chien had two of the six top high school winners, Clare Teynor (right) and Landon Kohler (center). Also, Bree Doll was one of the six high school honorable mention winners. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

 

Prairie du Chien junior Clare Teynor and sophomore Landon Kohler were two of six statewide high school winners in the 2019 “Teaching Today WI” Dream Career Essay Contest. Of six honorable mention winners, Prairie du Chien High School was also represented by sophomore Bree Doll.

The three Blackhawks’ dream careers include: an algorithms engineer for Kohler, a rheumatologist for Doll, and a medical profession for Teynor. 

Prairie du Chien’s winners came by the contest initially as an assignment last semester in creative writing with Ms. Natalie White, they said. The 20 sophomores, juniors and seniors saw examples from 2018 contest winners, including one student’s piece, which shared what he did not want to become. 

Once they completed their own 500-600-word essay on a “dream career,” they could submit it as an entry, or not, in November. Many took advantage of the opportunity to put their writing up against other students from around the state. 

In the end, upon the announcement in January, they learned other winners came from high schools in Greenfield, Flambeau, Belmont, Ithaca, Luck and Arrowhead.

The top six in the high school division received $200 cash. Honorable mention winners got $75. There was also a middle school division, where winners took home $100 and $25, respectively.

“I thought it was worth telling my story to others of how I’ve come to where I am today,” Doll shared. “I’ve had arthritis issues since I was about 8 years old. I just told my story and why I want to help others who might go through the same thing.”

Teynor wrote about her intentions to study a career in the medical field because of her desire to help others and because of her positive experiences with medical professionals during her youth. 

“I want to do patient care,” Teynor said. “Whether we want it or not, we all need help at some point. I think a medical profession would be rewarding.”

She’s glad she submitted her piece. She said her essay was actually her least favorite finished assignment but she sent it in anyway in hopes of getting free money. She was surprised to hear she was one of the six top writers.

Kohler, who used to want to become “someone who makes a lot of money,” has changed his perspective as he’s gone through school. He’s looking forward to being an algorithms engineer someday because he loves math wants to work on solving the world’s problems. 

“It’s awfully unique how numbers, even pencil strokes on a piece of paper, can help solve real world problems and help people,” he wrote.

In fact, Kohler said he already has his near future planned out. After high school, he’s aiming to go to the University of Chicago and major in applied math. 

Within his essay, Kohler raised the idea that not all jobs are perceived as having equal purposes. He said he’s proud to be seeking a job in an undervalued career. 

He also found penning his essay therapeutic, like he did many of the assignments in Ms. White’s creative writing. 

“Even if you’re not the best writer, all the topics were very broad, and you didn’t have to share if you didn’t want to. It was good therapy,” he stated. 

“It wasn’t about putting together the perfect sentence,” Teynor added. “It was about developing your thoughts and your writing. It ended up being one of my favorite classes.”

“Creative writing gave me so many opportunities to tell my stories and then move on with my life,” Doll noted. “Some people don’t listen, but some do, and that’s nice.”

In addition to the prestige of state recognition, the cash prizes were a great bonus for the trio. Kohler said he’ll likely save the money. Teynor may put some toward her prom dress, and Doll said it’s probably going into her college fund.

For each student’s essay in full, find this article at pdccourier.com.

 

SEE PDC'S 2 WINNING ESSAYS BELOW

Bree Doll's honorable mention piece has not been published by Teaching Today WI yet, but can be found in future issues of the publication at teachingtodaywi.com

 

Algorithms Engineer 

Landon Kohler

In seventh grade particularly, my love for math escalated, and so did my thirst to learn more. I’ve always loved math because of the way most math problems end with a definite answer. But as you learn more about math you realize most things become abstract and imaginative. And that’s the thing that intrigues me. How can math be so concrete, yet so creative at the same time? It’s awfully unique how numbers, even pencil strokes on a piece of paper, can help solve real world problems and help people. 

Three years ago my thoughts on success were mainly focused around the amount of money you’re going to make or the social status you’re going to have. That all changed when I finished my freshman year. I was stressed beyond belief because of the classes I was taking and how I approached the class, as a perfectionist. You can never be perfect so why try to be? I used to want to become a lawyer or a doctor or something that makes a lot of money. And I’m realizing I want to do something that makes me happy and I now plan to become an algorithms engineer. 

I always knew in my mind I wanted to do something involving math. So I took to researching what jobs you can get with a major in math (which is what I was planning on pursuing). Altogether, I came up with an algorithm engineer. I had never heard of it before and learned it’s a person that bridges the gap between algorithm theory and practical applications. When I learned that it involves “practical applications” a light bulb lit and I realized I wanted to become one. When people think about helping people they think of doctors or veterinarians and that’s never appealed to me. So when I learned I could help people with math I realized that’s what I have to do and more importantly, what I want to do. 

Nowadays everyone is always pushing you to go into the “successful jobs”, but what they don’t take into account is that we need someone for everything. Every job should be valued equally and not based on its salary. I believe teachers are some of the most underpaid individuals throughout the world. Teachers are the people that help build or even create the future. Without teachers there wouldn’t be any doctors or lawyers or CEO’s of large business corporations. Yet, teachers aren’t viewed as some of the most valued people and that’s what is wrong with our mindset. We need to realize that every job serves an EQUAL purpose. I am planning on going to college to become an algorithms engineer and that is one of those undervalued jobs, and I no longer care because that’s what is going to make me happy. That is what I want to do with my life. Don’t let anyone tell you that you shouldn’t pursue something because you should be the one making that decision.

 

Medical Field 

Clare Teynor

Whether we want it or not, we need help from others. It doesn’t matter whether it is some sort of illness or just struggling mentally, we need help at some point. While I am not sure exactly what I want to do for a future career, I know for sure that I want to help people. I have looked into the medical field since eighth grade when we did a science project where we traced ourselves and drew the skeletal system. From then on I focused on the human body and shaped my high school classes around that idea. I have taken nearly every medical class that my high school has to offer and I am currently taking Anatomy and Physiology to center my attention on how the body works together to make up the lifestyle we live and our abilities to function. 

Even as a teenager, I have had times where people, especially in the medical field, have helped me get back to where I need to be. Since the age of four I have had an issue that causes me to get sick during random times, usually during exercise. The doctors found out this summer that I am severely anemic and maybe iron supplements could stop the nausea and sickness. In eighth grade, I learned that I have plantar fasciitis. I went through many different appointments with multiple doctors to try and figure out how to make it so I could run without pain. My mom is a behavioral health therapist and she helps me whenever I need a person to help get me out of the hole I dig myself into when I overthink the little things. But I also understand the frustration of not being able to get help. I know there are times where there is nothing else the doctors are able to do. I want to be able to help people through trying times in their life and reduce the annoyance of injury or pain. 

I think I would be a perfect fit for the medical field because I am passionate about helping everyone. This past summer I went to Florida with my church group on a mission trip. There we cleared brush, cleaned up sheds, cut down trees, took down mold walls, and just talked to people who had to go through the devastating Hurricane Michael. I am also a part of many clubs that focus on community service and helping others. I understand the medical field requires good grades and potentially a lot of schooling, but I am up to the task. I have maintained straight A’s all through high school, and have been involved in many clubs, sports, and community groups. These activities set me up for a bright future in college and medical school. 

I want a job like my mom’s, where I have time for friends and family, but do a lot for my patients as well. While the money is good, that is not why I am drawn to the medical field. Yes, I want to support my future family and have good insurance, but I want to be able to make a change in people’s lives. I simply want to help people live the best lives they can. I believe through college and more specific classes I will come up with the perfect job for me. I am looking forward to a life full of happiness and change.

Rate this article: 
No votes yet