Columbus

Name: Owen Watson

Parents: Brian and Wendy Watson

GPA: 4.0

Class Rank: 1

Co-curricular activities: Cross-Country, Basketball, Track, NHS, FCCLA, FFA

Community activities: Victory Christian Center (church), Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels

Future plans and goals: My future goals are to attend Iowa State University to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering

How will your high school experiences help you in coming years?

I have learned a lot in high school. I think the most important skill you can learn is time management. When you go off to college, you have no one telling you when to be home, when to do your homework or even to go to class. If you can manage your time so that you can study, get your schoolwork done and still go out with friends, then you are already ahead of the game.

Fondest memory of high school?

My fondest memory from high school is playing basketball with my best friends. The season didn’t go the way we wanted it to, we only won one game, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I will never forget beating L and M. Celebrating with my teammates and soaking our coach in the locker room. I love basketball and I love the guys I was playing with even more.

Which teachers have had the biggest impact on your education and why?

The teacher that has had the biggest impact on me is Mr. Riley. Mr. Riley was my seventh-, ninth-, and 11th-grade English teacher. Not only was he my favorite teacher, but my favorite coach. Mr. Riley always saw the best in everybody. He believed that I could do anything I set my mind to and has taught me to believe that, too.

Who is your role model and how did they influence you?

My parents are big role models in my life. They have taught me everything I know about being a hardworking and independent person. They pushed me to go to college and get an education. They are the reason I am who I am. They work hard to provide for me and my siblings so we can have a better life than they did. I couldn’t ask for better role models.

What is special about your high school?

Columbus is special because it is such a close-knit, diverse community. There are people from all different cultures and backgrounds that come together. It is really something that you take for granted because for us it is normal. When you go off into the real world you are surrounded by people who are different than you and that is a good thing. Another thing that makes Columbus special is everybody pitches in when there is a disaster. Doesn’t matter whether it is a fire, or a family member being diagnosed with cancer. We come together and fundraise and give whatever support we can.

If you could go back to when you were a freshman, what advice would you give yourself?

My advice to freshman me would definitely be to get involved in everything that you can. I didn’t really come out of my shell until my junior year, and I regret it. You’re only in high school once and you don’t realize how little time you have until it’s too late. Make as many good memories as you can because what sticks with you the most after you graduate isn’t what you learned in class, it’s the dumb stuff you can’t believe you did with your friends.