JEFF FIELDER Editor
CHADRON – Jonathan Vahrenkamp, a senior at Chadron High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Male Student of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank. He participates in football, basketball, and FBLA. He has a 3.89 GPA. His parents are Andrew Fahrenkamp and Melissa Waggener.
Q: How is your senior year of school going?
VAHRENKAMP: “It’s been kind of stressful because I had to choose where I was going to college, and some of my classes are kind of difficult. But overall, it’s gone pretty well so far.”
Q: Is it hard for you to believe that you’re a senior?
VAHRENKAMP: “Yes, it is. It seems like just yesterday I was a freshman.”
Q: Has this school year been going by pretty fast for you?
VAHRENKAMP: “Yes, I can’t believe I’m about to graduate. It feels like the football season ended just yesterday. It’s hard to believe my senior year is almost over.”
Q: How excited are you about graduating from high school, or are you sad that it’s about over?
VAHRENKAMP: “I’m not really sad for high school to be over. I’m a little nervous about what my future holds for me, but I am excited to graduate from high school and go on to college.”
Q: Where are you planning to go to college?
VAHRENKAMP: “I’m going to Chadron State College.”
Q: Why did you pick Chadron State College?
VAHRENKAMP: “A big reason is it’s close to home, but they also offered me a full tuition waiver. I don’t have a ton of money saved up for college, so this is a great opportunity for me to get my schooling paid for.”
Q: How did you get the full tuition scholarship?
VAHRENKAMP: “I got that based on my GPA and my ACT score.”
Q: What was your ACT score?
VAHRENKAMP: “I got a 27.”
Q: How ecstatic were you when you learned about the tuition scholarship?
VAHRENKAMP: “I was so relieved. I took a personal finance class at the beginning of the year, and they talked about student loans and what percentage of Americans are in debt and how burdensome student loans are. I was very, very relieved when I found out that CSC offered me a full tuition waiver. My parents were really excited for me.”
Q: What do you plan to major in at college?
VAHRENKAMP: “I’m going to try to get a business degree and an accounting degree, or a financial management degree – something pertaining to managing money because I like numbers. My aunt in Alliance runs the H&R Block there, so I kind of know what the job entails. Also, my uncle in Denver is a CPA for a big company. I like his lifestyle. It seems like something I could be successful at.”
Q: We’re in the tax season now, so does that kind of excite you?
VAHRENKAMP: “[Laughs] Yes, a little bit.”
Q: Other than paying taxes, right?
VAHRENKAMP: “[Laughs] Yes, other than paying taxes.”
Q: You’re in a few activities at Chadron High School. Which one do you enjoy the most?
VAHRENKAMP: “Football was definitely my favorite activity throughout my high school career. I have four varsity letters in football. I really enjoyed competing with my friends. I enjoy FBLA, too. There’s a wide variety of kids that do FBLA.” Editor’s note: Vahrenkamp was a wide receiver and safety in football.
Q: How did your senior football season go?
VAHRENKAMP: “It didn’t go as great as I was hoping for. We didn’t make the playoffs. Our record didn’t really reflect how good a team we were. We just didn’t execute sometimes. But it was still a great way to end my football career.”
Q: Talk a little more about why you enjoy FBLA.
VAHRENKAMP: “I like all the fundraising we do for the community and the FBLA program. It’s fun doing bake sales and selling raffle tickets. FBLA really teaches you the business side of being an American. I also enjoyed my competitions. I took a lot away from them.”
Q: You have a high GPA. What’s been the key for you to maintain such a high GPA?
VAHRENKAMP: “Honestly, I wish I had a 4.0. I feel like I slacked off a little bit last year when I didn’t do so hot in my AP US History class and trigonometry. I got B’s in those classes. … What’s helped me is getting a lot of one-on-one help from my teachers. The teachers here are really helpful. Also, studying a lot at home made a big difference.”
Q: Have you lived in Chadron your whole life?
VAHRENKAMP: “I was born in Lincoln, and our family moved to Beatrice around when I was 3. That’s where my little brother was born. Then around the age of 5, we moved to Chadron. I’ve lived here since then.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Chadron?
VAHRENKAMP: “I really enjoy the community of Chadron. It’s a small, close-knit community. I’m thankful for that. Some kids in bigger cities can’t say that they know every kid in their class, but I do know the other kids in my class. I think that’s helped me develop closer, more authentic relationships.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
VAHRENKAMP: “That’s a tough question. I would say Mrs. [Brenda] Lanphear, who was my English teacher my sophomore and juniors years. She was probably the most insightful for me.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
VAHRENKAMP: “I like to go hunting with my family. Me and my cousins go hunting at our grandparent’s ranch. I also like playing cards with my family. I also like any kind of fishing and spending days at the lake. In the summer, I like to go camping, too.”
Q: What kind of hunting do you like to do?
VAHRENKAMP: “We hunt deer every year, and we also go dove hunting every year. We also shoot coyotes and grouse.”
Q: Where do you like to go camping?
VAHRENKAMP: “My favorite spot is at the state park here. I’ve also camped at [Angostura Reservoir], and it’s fun.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
VAHRENKAMP: “It changes from time to time, but overall, I would say it’s ‘How I Met Your Mother.’”
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
VAHRENKAMP: “I like to listen to all kinds of music, but my favorite is country.”
Q: What are your three favorite apps on your cell phone?
VAHRENKAMP: “Snapchat, TikTok, and Clash of Clans.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Chadron High School?
VAHRENKAMP: “I think one of the kindest and most thoughtful students is a good friend of mine, Zach Collins. He’s a senior. He’s always there to help someone out in need, and he’s thoughtful of other people’s opinions. He’s definitely one of the most thoughtful kids at CHS.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Chadron?
VAHRENKAMP: “It’s definitely Wild’s Bar and Grill. I’m maybe a little biased because I work there, but they have some of the best steaks and hamburgers you can ask for. Also, the people there are very friendly. It’s family-owned.”
Q: What is one thing you wish people would do more of?
VAHRENKAMP: “Sometimes I feel like people could do a better job of listening and paying closer attention to loved ones in their community.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
VAHRENKAMP: “I would say Fort Robinson State Park. There’s just so much stuff you can do out there, and the history there is really cool.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in the Chadron community.
VAHRENKAMP: “My grandparents – Marc and Judy Vahrenkamp. My grandma is the Nebraska President of the Gideons Association. They always hand out Bibles and are always donating back to their community. I think they set a really good example.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Chadron, which one would it be and why?
VAHRENKAMP: “I would say Wild’s Bar and Grill just because I know a lot of people in the community appreciate it, and maybe I’ll get a bonus from my boss for giving them a shoutout.”
Q: What are two other places in Chadron that you recommend people visit if they’ve never been to Chadron before?
VAHRENKAMP: “I would definitely suggest the physical activities center at Chadron State College. There’s a lot that you can do there. Also, I would suggest going to the new Don Beebe football stadium. It’s really nice.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
VAHRENKAMP: “Yes, I have three. I have one older stepbrother, Logan Waggener. He’s 22. Also, there’s Kade Waggener. He’s 17. And then my biological brother is Joel Vahrenkamp. He’s 16.”
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