The Class of 2015 will graduate from Pine River-Backus (PR-B) Schools on May 29 and has much to celebrate. Sixty-five seniors will walk across the stage and be recognized for their achievements - which are many!
Along with their accomplishments come their dreams and ambitions. This year's class in particular is considering interesting and new options.
Many students are working toward the medical career pathway, including nursing, sonography, psychiatric nursing, physical therapy, pharmacy, nutrition and pre-med.
Students appreciate the support they've gotten over their high school years, which includes a Career Exploration Course as ninth-graders that administered interest inventories and evaluated aptitude benchmarks. Throughout the years, students develop and refine a personal learning plan that sets them on track and guides them toward post-secondary goals.
Other students are gravitating toward two-year degrees and are very focused on specific career pathways, including lineman, HVAC, electrician, auto mechanic, diesel maintenance and heavy equipment, photography, graphic design, floral design, culinary arts, cosmetology, massage therapy, veterinarian technician, computer technology, law enforcement and DNR.
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Again, students have received guidance and support throughout their years at PR-B to facilitate this focus. Two years ago, Pine River-Backus partnered with the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (CEP). As a result, a career adviser visits with students and helps to develop and explore their career interests and pathways. The adviser is in our school two days a week and works in many classrooms.
Still other graduating seniors will work toward degrees in education - early childhood, elementary and secondary, mass communication and journalism, architecture and construction management, business and even political science.
Students also receive a lot of support from positive adult mentors in our community. Whether they participated in the Rotary STRIVE program, worked with teachers at school or were provided guidance from family, friends and neighbors - everyone really is a part of our PR-B students' dreams!
Finally, we have four students who have chosen to serve our country and enlist with the military. We will have a Marine, an Army National Guard member and two in the U.S. Navy. What pride we take from students who are so willing to give back to our community and country!
It does take a village to raise a child and we've done a good job when you look at the Class of 2015, their accomplishments and their future goals.
Proud to be PR-B!
