Pekin senior Haylea Oostra

Pekin senior Haylea Oostra is in the spotlight this week. She is the daughter of David and Sheri Oostra, and has two sisters Faith and Shae.

In school Haylea was involved in Volleyball, Track, Winter Volleyball, Softball, Basketball, FCCLA, FCA, FFA, FBLA, 4H, ISTEP, NHS, Iron Chef, Pekin Rising Ruritans, Cross-Age Mentoring, Color Guard Manager, Drama, Choir, Honor Choir, and Keokuk Youth County Council. She also worked at Walk’er Drive Thru in Sigourney.

What's your favorite school memory/OR what will you remember the most? My favorite memory would be talking after school and sports with my friends for hours, 2024 track season and my government class.

If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be? If I could go back and change one thing it would be to not be so shy and get out of my comfort zone.

What's the best and/or worst thing about being a senior? The best thing about being a senior is knowing that you are almost done with school and making memories that would last a lifetime. The worst thing about being a senior is that in a few months you will graduate and won’t be with the people that you have grown up with and known all your life. Also knowing that everything that you do is going to be your last.

Which teacher or staff member has had the biggest impact on you and why? The teacher that has had the biggest impact on me is Ms. Goudy. Ms. Goudy is the kind of teacher that is always willing to help any kid with anything that they need help with. She has always been there for me as a person to talk to and help me pursue my career in culinary arts.

Advice to incoming high school freshmen: Get involved with as much as you can because later on you will regret not getting involved and going to things. Also get to know your teachers because they will always be there to help with anything that you need help with.

What are your plans after graduation? My plans after high school are to attend Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). I will start at the Newton campus to attend their yearlong baking program. After completion of the baking program, I hope to apply and attend the Culinary Arts program on the Ankeny DMACC campus. Culinary Arts is a two-year program that will allow me to widen my skills, not only in the kitchen but also in hospitality skills.

What is one outrageous thing you want to try in your lifetime? The outrageous thing that I would like to do would be go racecar driving because I like driving fast and I think that it would be fun.

If you could move anywhere in the world, where would you go AND why? If I could move anywhere in the world I would go to Italy because of the cuisine, culture, climate and its always been a place I have wanted to see since I was little.

Who has been your biggest influence AND why? My biggest influence would have to be my mom because she has always been there for me when I need her. Also, even through tough times she is always finding a way to stay positive and wanting to help others.