JEFF FIELDER Editor
MITCHELL – Caleb Koranda, a senior at Mitchell High School, is First State Bank’s Male Student of the Week. He participates in cross country [he was a state qualifier each of the last two years], track and field, FBLA, Tigers Committed, Student Council, and he’s in National Honor Society. His parents are Ron and Janis Koranda.
Q: Out of all the activities that you participate in, which one is your favorite?
KORANDA: “My favorite activity is probably cross country. I like being able to run with my teammates in the summer and then competing in the fall. I like the distance we run in cross country, too.”
Q: What is your favorite class in school?
KORANDA: “Probably math because it’s more like a right or wrong course compared to art or English. I’m not the creative type.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher has made the biggest influence on you?
KORANDA: “Despite not really liking English, one of my former English teachers [Rex Morrison] was a big influence on me because he let me know that I could do it. He inspired me to work hard in school and also outside of school in my activities.”
Q: Have you lived in Mitchell your whole life?
KORANDA: “Yes, I have.”
Q: Do you like living in Mitchell?
KORANDA: “I do. The community is really supportive, and I think it’s a really nice place to grow up and live.”
Q: “What are your plans after high school?
KORANDA: “I’m going to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on a Regents scholarship. I’m currently undecided, but I’m thinking about maybe going into the math/science/engineering area.”
Q: So what kind of job would you like have in the future?
KORANDA: “Hopefully, something in the tech field. I’m really interested in computers. I think that would be a cool field to go into.”
Q: What does it mean to you to be in National Honor Society?
KORANDA: “It’s important to me, knowing that my scholastic ability is where I want it to be while also being active in other activities.”
Q: What is your favorite non-sports activity?
KORANDA: “Probably Student Council. I like how we can help support the school and give back.”
Q: Has achieving good grades been pretty easy for you?
KORANDA: “Yes and no. Some stuff comes naturally to me, but I still have to work hard and put in the time to become better.”
Q: What’s the biggest achievement you’ve had so far in your life?
KORANDA: “I’m pretty proud of my ACT score. I got a 32, which I was really happy with. As far as athletics, I’ve been to state twice in cross country. That was a huge improvement for me compared to where I was my freshman year. I used to run the 5K in about 26 minutes, but I’ve brought it down to a 17:06, so that was a big achievement for me athletically.”
Q: Do you feel like you have a pretty good balance between sports and your other activities?
KORANDA: “Sports are fun, but academics have always been my top priority. I try to do as well as I can in school.”
Q: How do you feel your track and field season has been going so far this spring?
KORANDA: “The season didn’t start out like I would have liked. We had three meets that got cancelled, so I didn’t have as much preparation coming into the season, but I’m just trying to work hard in practice to make sure we can make up for the lost meets.”
Q: What are your goals for this track and field season?
KORANDA: “My goal is to qualify for the Best in the West. I was also hoping to be a Western Trails Conference champion, and I accomplished that [both as an individual and as a team].”
Q: How have your previous seasons gone in track and field?
KORANDA: “My previous seasons have gone pretty good. There’s definitely room for improvement, though. I’m always trying to improve.”
Q: Who do you feel is the kindest person at your school?
KORANDA: “There’s a junior, Jonathan Pieper, who is a farm boy and always greets you with a farm attitude. He’s a really nice, helpful person to hang out with and talk to.”
Q: Which athlete on the track and field team makes people laugh the most?
KORANDA: “I think [sophomore] Jaden Schumacher is a pretty funny kid. He’s easy-going, and he’s pretty funny. He’s quick-witted.”
Q: Where is your favorite place to eat around Mitchell?
KORANDA: “I like to eat at the Mexican restaurant. It’s called Ayala’s on the Fairway. It’s at the Mitchell golf course.”
Q: What do you like to do for fun outside of school activities?
KORANDA: “I like to hang out with my friends. We play ping pong, and we like to swim or ride bikes. I like to be outdoors.”
Q: Do you have any brothers and/or sisters?
KORANDA: “I have a twin brother, Ethan Koranda. He’s out for track, too, and does the same events.”
Q: How cool is that – that both of you do the same events?
KORANDA: “It’s fun competing with my brother. We always try to push each other to do better. It’s a good sibling rivalry to have on the team. We push each other to do better, but we also really support each other. We try to build each other up. It’s a nice, friendly competition.”
Q: What’s it like to have a twin?
KORANDA: “We’re fraternal, so we don’t look exactly alike, so we can’t switch classrooms or switch clothes to pretend to be the other person. But it’s fun having someone there to support you. We get along really well.”
Q: Do you have any other brothers and/or sisters?
KORANDA: “I have an older sister, Amanda Van Pelt. She lives in Virginia.”
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.
