JEFF FIELDER Editor
CRAWFORD – Blake Dodd, a senior at Crawford High School, is this week’s Nspire Today! Female Student of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank. She participates in volleyball, basketball, National Honor Society, student council, and FFA. Her GPA is 3.8. After high school, she plans to go into the radiologic technology program at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff. Her parents are Kristie Bowman and Kalvin Dodd.
Q: How has your senior year of school been going overall?
DODD: “It was going pretty good. We were just starting to work on most of our finals, but then a Friday [in March] ended up being our last day of school. I didn’t know that was going to happen. No one was expecting it.”
Q: How strange have the last few weeks been to you?
DODD: “It’s been very strange. I was expecting to go back to school that next Monday. I didn’t expect it to end this fast.”
Q: To you, what’s the biggest disappointment about the coronavirus affecting school?
DODD: “I think graduation is the biggest thing. We were looking forward to graduation and the videos and some of the stories that students were going to tell at graduation. Also, our senior prom is usually a big deal around here, so it’s disappointing that won’t happen, either.”
Q: You’re involved in NHS and have a high GPA. Talk about how important excelling in the classroom has been to you.
DODD: “I’ve always worked hard to try to get the best grades I could and be on the honor’s list. It’s a pretty big honor to be in National Honor Society. I’ve really enjoyed being involved in National Honor Society because we’ve been able to do some community service activities, and I like the leadership that we get to show throughout our school.”
Q: During your high school career, what’s been your favorite subject?
DODD: “Math. I used to not like it until my freshman year, when we got a new math teacher [Eric Snitily]. I feel like he taught math in a newer, fun, creative way, and it started to become easier to me.”
Q: Why did you decide to go to WNCC?
DODD: “I went on a college visit there, and they told me about the [radiologic tech] program and how they’re connected to the hospital. They said that once I get my prereqs done, I’ll be able to transfer straight to the hospital. Also, I really liked the campus and the people I spoke to there. So, I thought it would be a good fit for me.”
Q: What got you interested in the radiologic technology program?
DODD: “The summer before my senior year, I had a volleyball injury on my ankle, and while I was going through the X-rays, it seemed to catch my attention. So then during my senior year, I did some job shadowing at Chadron’s hospital, and it seemed like something I would really like to do.”
Q: Out of all the activities you’ve participated in at high school, which one have you enjoyed the most?
DODD: “Definitely volleyball. It’s always been my favorite sport. In high school, I didn’t play just one position. I played setter and outside hitter, and I liked being able to help out my team any way I could.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed living in Crawford?
DODD: “I’ve enjoyed living in a smaller community. I also like how tight our community is and how people will always help other people out. I also enjoy helping my dad on the farm we have a few miles outside of town.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
DODD: “I like spending time outside with my family, like camping and hiking.”
Q: Where is your favorite place to go camping?
DODD: “My mom moved up to Rapid City a few years ago, so we’ll go camping up by Spearfish. I really like it there.”
Q: What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
DODD: “All kinds, but if I had to pick one, it would be country.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
DODD: “I like ‘One Tree Hill’ and ‘The Vampire Diaries.’”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Crawford High School?
DODD: “I would say Hannah Lemmon. She’s a junior. I don’t have very many classes with her, but every time I see her in the halls, she’s always in a good mood. If she sees that I’m having kind of a rough day, she’ll cheer me up. She’s very kind to everyone.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
DODD: “I like Fort Robinson State Park because it’s close to here and there’s a lot of fun activities you can do there. I really like the Post Playhouse there.”
Q: Name one person who you think is a big difference-maker in your community.
DODD: “I’d have to say Moni Hourt. Ever since she stepped away from teaching at the school, she’s continued to be involved in helping kids as much as she can. You’ll always see her at all of our sporting events or non-sporting events taking pictures. She’ll do anything for anyone.”
Q: What’s the coolest place you’ve ever traveled to?
DODD: “I would say Wisconsin Dells. A few years ago, my mom and my stepdad took us on a vacation there, and it had a lot of waterparks there and other cool attractions. The hotel that we stayed at was near a big lake, and it was pretty cool to see that.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area?
DODD: “The China House in Chadron. When it was open, we would eat there about every time we went to Chadron. I think they have really good food.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Crawford, which one would it be and why?
DODD: “Probably The Tailgate. I love their food, and I love the people there. They’re very friendly.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
DODD: “Yes, I have two half sisters, a step sister, and two step brothers. They are Alyssa Dodd (24), Megan Dodd (26), Trysten Bowman (21), August Bowman (18), and Myles Bowman (14).”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Students of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, students of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
First State Bank has been a community bank for more than 80 years with locations in Scottsbluff, Gering and Colorado Springs. First State Bank’s new mortgage center has the convenience of applying online without giving up the personalized customer service people have come to expect. Visit www.fsbcentral.com to find out why when First State Bank says, ‘We’re Big on You,’ they mean it. Find First State Bank on Facebook at firststatebank1935.
