Soldotna High School
Kayla Haeg

Soldotna High School’s valedictorian Kayla Haeg holds deep pride in her choice to take full advantage of the many opportunities and courses offered at Soldotna High School. She often found that the knowledge she gained in diverse courses extended across multiple academic disciplines and well beyond the classroom. “After spending four years in Soldotna High School’s drama department, I’ve learned that having a small part in something doesn’t mean it’s unimportant. In this way, my experiences in drama have prepared me for success in the community. Through drama, I learned that community is truly enhanced through small acts.” Aside from being a standout student and role model to her peers, many of Kayla’s small acts at Soldotna High School and in the larger Soldotna community came through her countless hours spent volunteering—whether with National Honor Society, blood drives, for events at local elementary schools, or the local little league.

Kayla’s ability to excel in multiple fields of study and her driven goal of taking a wide-breadth of challenging courses ultimately resulted in her long-term aspirations to synthesize academic knowledge in the working world in order to make Alaska an even better place to live. She is proud of her choice to remain in Alaska, where her father taught her how to properly catch a trout, and attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) next year, seeking a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree with the long-term goal of a Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering. “With my advanced degree, I can not only become a rare female engineer, but also a female leader, inspiring similar young women to challenge occupational stereotypes and enter the field of engineering to pursue their passion for math and science.” Kayla aspires to eventually apply her skills in solving the unique engineering problems of Alaska, whether they are on the North Slope or through her own firm here at home. “This state has taught me that being a part of a community, whether it’s a large town or small village, not only requires participation, but also contribution and dedication.”

Soldotna High School

Tags: #ClassOf2016, Kayla Haeg, Soldotna High School

This entry was posted on June 21, 2016 at 2:28 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Posted in School Stories by Pegge Erkeneff No Comments Yet