Congratulations Seldovia Graduates! Part III of V – Kaitlyn Hecks

by Jenny Chissus

This week, we are honoring our 5 Seldovia graduates, Alexandria (Xandria), Aydana, Chaela, Kaitlyn and Taylor!  5 beautiful girls with 5 stories to share about their Seldovia experience in school and community!  This is part I of V in a series this week!  Graduation will be held at Susan B English school on May 20, 2014 at 4:00pm in the school gymnasium and all are welcome to celebrate with our graduates and families!

There is one exception as Aydana Omar will be leaving Seldovia for Kazakhstan on Monday, the day before graduation, so there will be a Community Graduation/Certificate Ceremony for her on Sunday, May 18th at the Sea Otter Community Center at 4:00pm, with a potluck to follow – and all are welcome!

Congratulations Kaitlyn!

Gazette:  What is your “Seldovia” Story?
Kaitlyn:  Seldovia has been my home my whole life.  So, in a way, my life so far, is my “Seldovia Story”. Growing up in a small community has given me the opportunity to be a part of the family like atmosphere that we have here. They have seen me grow up and been there through the good and the bad, I honestly couldn’t imagine of growing up anywhere else.

Gazette:  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Now, as a senior what do you want to be when you grow up? How has that changed?
Kaitlyn:  Growing up, I can safely say I didn’t exactly know what I wanted to be. I can remember wanting to be a doctor or even a lawyer at some point.  Like every other teenager, there were times I wanted to just run away and travel the world. However, being young it wasn’t something that bothered me especially since I thought this day would never come.

However, now as the last few days of being a senior are here, I think that has completely changed, even though there are times when running away to explore still sounds nice ?. But, now I can say that I have a clearer idea of what I would like to do because I have a better understanding of who I want to be. It has changed greatly from what I might have pictured as a child, because it’s not a doctor or a lawyer but going into the field of business instead.

Gazette:  What are some of your favorite school memories? Seldovia memories?
Kaitlyn:  Sitting here now, with the idea that my “high school experience” is almost over it is very hard to choose my favorite memories. During high school I just wanted it to be over, but now that it is, it’s honestly not only exciting but also frightening.

The last four years I have gotten the chance to wander the halls of Susan B. English with the most amazing people. From singing the words of Believe by Cher with Seth in class until we got in trouble or to the volleyball trips or my first and only year of basketball. They are all special times that are completely unforgettable.

Gazette:  What are your plans this summer? This next year?
Kaitlyn:  This summer is going to be both an interesting and exciting one for me. It will not only be summer, which is already exciting, but it is kind of the next chapter of our lives. I really don’t have too much planned this summer, since I am be expecting the birth of my son in the beginning of summer.   Mostly I am looking forward to that, and enjoying the lovely weather that summer brings.  Other than that, the only plans that I have are to soak up the sun with Taylor as she takes on her new adventure with her Main Street Munchies stand. When it comes to next year, I will be starting online college classes in August working towards my Business degree. I am very excited to take the first step in my education and work towards my Associates degree in Business.

Gazette:  Growing up requires a lot of help, who do you want to thank? Who made a big impression on you and has influenced you in a positive way? Who deserves a “Virtual Rose”?
Kaitlyn:  I personally wish there was a way to give a rose to everybody, because at one point in time every single person in this community has been there for me in some way.

However, I really owe my mother a big thank you and way more than a rose. For eighteen years she has put up with me through thick and thin. And now, even though I am technically an adult she is still right there by my side when I need anything. I know there are days when we didn’t see eye to eye and she probably imagined running away herself, but I really have to thank her for not giving up. Without her, I honestly don’t think I would be where I am today. My mother has pushed me to get up every morning and be the best person I could be, as well as helping me to believe in myself. I can only hope that one day I am as strong as she is.

I would like to thank the Haller Family, as in only four short years since they moved to Seldovia, they have become my second family. They have been there since day one without hesitation. I am very glad to have you guys in my life and it is hard to believe it all started with a text message from Taylor about two months before they moved here. I couldn’t imagine not having you guys around!

I would like to thank my teachers and the staff at Susan B. English. Without the push from everyone I don’t think I would have made it to where I am today.

Mrs. Bornheimer has been a huge part of my life since my first day of Kindergarten and even though I have had only one class with her during the past four years, she still manages to keep me on track. She has been there to push me when I wanted to give up, and knows EXACTLY when I am trying to avoid something that I should be doing. She has been a major part of keeping me on track and helping me get where I am today.

Ms. Montgomery is another teacher that I owe a ginormous thank you to. She has not only been there to make the day better and keep you laughing but she has been there with the push and help that I have needed.

Ms. Sensenig has been another teacher that has helped push me through high school to get to this day that is approaching.  She came to Seldovia during the time in my life that running away and exploring was what I wanted to do; she helped me realize that school is important and that with the effort I could make it to this day. I really appreciate that, and the day that I never thought would come, is here.

Mr. Derks, It’s hard to believe that it has only been two years, but you made an impression since the first day. Not only were you were able to make science class a memorable hour, but you took a huge leap against everyone’s judgment and coached the girls basketball team. To be honest, that season will NEVER be forgotten. I want to thank you for everything you have done.

I would like to thank my senior class for making this past 170 days not only very special, but fly by, because that’s what happens when you’re having fun!  I would like to thank my other classmates for making the year memorable and unforgettable because without you guys the years wouldn’t have been so fun.

Again, I wish I could thank everybody in this community because everyone in Seldovia has had an impact on my life at some point. But as my teachers already know, I can get pretty wordy and this response is getting quite long.  So, to everyone I didn’t get to mention, I am sorry, just know that you do deserve a thank you and a “virtual rose”!

Gazette:  What would you do with your life if you KNEW you could not fail?
Kaitlyn:  Personally, I don’t know if I would change anything at the moment.  But in the future I would love to get out there with my best friend, Taylor, and start the restaurant that we always talk and dream about having.

Gazette:  Final thoughts?
Kaitlyn:  To be honest some of these questions were harder to answer than the work I have been doing the previous months! Haha!   I am excited for this next step but it is hard to believe that this time in our life is already over. We are all starting out in new directions in our lives but I really hope we can still keep in touch over the next however many years.

But now, the next chapter of our lives begins!