JEFF FIELDER Editor
GERING – Emily Harrison, a senior at Gering High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Female Student of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank. She has a 4.0 GPA. She participates in volleyball, basketball, track, dance team, DECA, FCA, student council, and National Honor Society. She also helps with Awana at her church, Mitchell Berean. Her parents are Ladd and Sue Harrison.
Q: Among the activities you participate in, which one do you enjoy the most?
HARRISON: “Track. I really like the atmosphere. It’s always fun to go to track meets and meet different people from schools. Everybody is there having fun.”
Q: What events do you compete in?
HARRISON: “I compete in the 100 and 300 hurdles and the 4×400 and 4×100 relays.”
Q: What are your goals for the upcoming track and field season?
HARRISON: “I hope to get a lot of personal records this year, and I’m hoping to make it to state.”
Q: What is your favorite non-sports activity?
HARRISON: “FCA. I like doing church activities with students in my school.”
Q: How excited are you to have a 4.0 GPA?
HARRISON: “It’s really exciting. It’s been stressful trying to keep a 4.0. I’ve taken some hard classes.”
Q: What’s the key to excelling in school?
HARRISON: “Always work hard, even when you don’t want to. Always do your homework and put in your full effort to study and push yourself to get those good grades.”
Q: What’s your favorite subject in school?
HARRISON: “Math. My dad is a banker, so he’s always helped me in math. I’ve really enjoyed it, learning problem-solving skills.”
Q: What is your favorite class this school year?
HARRISON: “Probably physics. Right now, we’re working on the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow project.”
Q: How many years have you worked on the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow project?
HARRISON: “This is my first year.”
Q: Talk about how excited you were when you found out Gering High School was once again named a state winner in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest.
HARRISON: “It was really exciting, especially being able to be part of it this year and help our school get more money to run our STEM programs.”
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from Gering High School?
HARRISON: “As of right now, I plan to go to Kansas State to major in architecture and possibly structural engineering.”
Q: Why did you pick Kansas State?
HARRISON: “With the Midwest Exchange program, they offer students with certain ACT scores close to in-state tuition. They also have a five-year master’s program that has been well recommended by people I’ve talked to.”
Q: Why do you want to pursue an architecture degree after high school?
HARRISON: “When I was younger, I always liked looking at old buildings – like old churches – in different towns. We had to do a project on it in school one day, and I got really interested in it, and I started taking classes related to that field.”
Q: What do you hope to do for a career?
HARRISON: “I hope to work in an architectural firm and help design houses and commercial buildings.”
Q: What is it about high school that you’ve enjoyed the most?
HARRISON: “I’ve enjoyed sports the most. It’s been fun getting to play on teams and getting to know all the girls who I’ve played with. I’ve made a lot of new friends.”
Q: Have you always lived in Gering?
HARRISON: “Yes.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in the Gering community?
HARRISON: “I think it’s a really nice place to grow up. There’s always fun activities in the summer – like OT Days and the fair in Mitchell. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Q: How much are you enjoying the “new” Gering High School?
HARRISON: “It’s really nice. It’s more modern. It’s neat how you still have the structure of the old gym worked into the new gym. I think that’s really cool and different compared to other high schools.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
HARRISON: “Mr. [Randy] Plummer. He’s been my track coach, and the last two years I’ve been able to have him as a basketball coach. He’s always been someone who’s pushed me and has known my potential. He’s always helped me out with stuff whether it’s school-related or just in life in general. He’s always been a guy who’s there for me and has pushed me to do my best.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
HARRISON: “I like to hang out with my friends. I do lots of artsy stuff, like making bracelets. I also like to go outside and play basketball.”
Q: Do you work?
HARRISON: “Yes, in the summer I work at Discount Fireworks.”
Q: Did you have a nice Christmas and New Year’s?
HARRISON: “Yes. We were really busy. We went down to see my family in Lincoln, and then we had to come back [to Gering] and then go to the Columbus Basketball Tournament. So, it was busy, but it was fun.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Gering High School?
HARRISON: “Faith Kennedy. She’s always happy and talks to everyone in the hallways. She always says ‘Hi’ to you by name, and if she doesn’t know you, she’ll still say ‘Hi’ to you. She’s a senior.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
HARRISON: “Criminal Minds.”
Q: Favorite type of music?
HARRISON: “Country.”
Q: Favorite local restaurant?
HARRISON: “Steel Grill.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
HARRISON: “Steak nachos.”
Q: What is the best book you’ve ever read?
HARRISON: “I really like the ‘Red Queen’ series.”
Q: What is something you wish people would do more of?
HARRISON: “Go out of their way to talk to and be kind to people they wouldn’t normally say ‘Hi’ to.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in your community.
HARRISON: “The people who have helped our community grow with FCA are the Hiatts – Lindy and Josh. When they came in, they helped organize a lot of things for FCA. They helped organize more barbecues, and they run our FCA Huddle on Wednesday nights and have provided snacks and drinks.”
Q: What do you feel is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
HARRISON: “The Monument. With us having so much flat land, having the huge Monument there really stands out. It’s different. People who aren’t from around here don’t expect to see it in our area.”
Q: What is something about you that most people don’t know?
HARRISON: “Most people don’t know that I really like to read.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in the area, which one would it be and why?
HARRISON: “I would say Platte Valley Bank because anytime I’ve needed help with a sponsor for one of my activities, they’ve always been willing to help sponsor us.”
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. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in January to Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy.
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.
