JEFF FIELDER Editor
KIMBALL – Alex Flores, a senior at Kimball High School, has been named First State Bank’s Male Student of the Week. He’s involved in band, jazz band, choir, show choir, speech, One Act, cheerleading, Kimball Prevention Coalition, and National Honor Society. He’s also involved in the youth group at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kimball. His GPA is 3.667. His parents are Lauro and Alejandra Flores.
Q: Talk about how important grades are to you?
FLORES: “Grades are very important to me. I take school very seriously.”
Q: Is it a challenge juggling all of your activities with keeping your grades high?
FLORES: “It’s a big challenge, especially since I don’t have a study hall or a free period at school like some people have.”
Q: What is your favorite class this year?
FLORES: “Academically, I would say college comp.”
Q: Which school activity do you enjoy the most?
FLORES: “Choir/show choir because it’s one of the things that I’m really good at.”
Q: Have you always enjoyed singing?
FLORES: “Yes, I have. This is the sixth year that I’ve been involved with singing because I was also involved in show choir and choir in middle school.”
Q: How would you describe the way your high school career has gone up to this point?
FLORES: “It’s gone by very fast. It’s been kind of stressful, but I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve met some great people along the way. A lot of people have supported me.”
Q: Are you super excited to graduate, or are you a little sad that your high school career is coming to a close?
FLORES: “I’m excited that I’m ending something that will take me somewhere, but I’m also sad because of change. I’m kind of scared of change.”
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from high school?
FLORES: “I plan to start out at a two-year school and go into nursing.”
Q: Why have you decided to pursue nursing?
FLORES: “When I was in fifth grade, I had a surgery, and I was in the hospital for one week. In that week, I met a lot of nice nurses. They were always there when I needed them. They always took care of me, and seeing those nurses doing that and always having a smile on their faces, that made me realize that that’s something I wanted to do. I want to help people who are in need. Also, I work at a nursing home [Kimball County Manor] as a CNA, and that’s made me feel even stronger about wanting to help people.”
Q: Have you lived in Kimball your whole life?
FLORES: “Yes.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Kimball?
FLORES: “It’s nice because it’s quiet. It’s a comfortable place to live.”
Q: In your opinion, what’s the coolest place in Kimball?
FLORES: “I would say Gotte Park. I like it there. It’s very open. It’s a big space. It’s nice to relax there.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher has influenced you the most?
FLORES: “He recently moved away to Scottsbluff. His name is Mr. [Luke] Maas. He was my anatomy and physiology teacher. He always believed in me. Even if I got a bad test grade, he would always say, ‘Alex, I know you can do better. You showed me in class that you can do better. Now prove it.’ He would push me to my limits.”
Q: Who do you think is the kindest person at Kimball High School this school year?
FLORES: “I think Mrs. [Kristi] Hiles-Smith, my band teacher. She always has a smile on her face. She says ‘Good morning’ to everyone. If she thinks you’re feeling down, she’ll ask, ‘What’s wrong? Do you need to take a break?’ She’s always willing to help.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
FLORES: “Sing. I always sing in my room.”
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
FLORES: “Pop, Indie-Pop.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in this region?
FLORES: “Probably Wonderful House in Scottsbluff.”
Q: If you were talking to someone who had never been to the WyoBraska area before, what’s one place you would recommend he or she visit in this area?
FLORES: “Oliver Reservoir. It’s a calm place outside of Kimball. It’s a beautiful place.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
FLORES: “Yes, I have three: Laura Flores, 23; Angel, 21; and Abdiel, 9.”
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 October to the Panhandle Humane Society.
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.
