JESSE MARKES…a leader at Pioneer High School

By Jay Hoberecht

Jesse Markes is a 17 year-old sophomore at Pioneer-Pleasant Vale High School.  He is becoming a leader at Pioneer and is involved in many activities.  Jesse is up early to feed animals and check the herd on the farm he lives on.  Then, he is on to school where he is involved in Baseball, FCA, Quiz Bowl and TSA.

Jesse plays baseball for the Pioneer Mustangs.  Pioneer just won their fourth consecutive Merrifield Office Plus Invitational Tournament.  He plays second base and pinch runs.  Coach Riesen called him a player to watch in the next two years because he understands the game and puts the work in.  Coach Riesen called him a “great kid” that makes his team better!  

Jesse is also involved with FCA at his school.   He grew up in the church, First Baptist, Hennessey, and FCA was just a natural progression.  The FCA Huddle is sponsored by Athletic Director Gerald Parker.  The group meets monthly and has about 12-15 attend.  Jesse likes hearing the word more frequently, especially at school.

Jesse likes Quiz Bowl and competes for his high school every year since firth grade.  He is also involved in TSA (Tech Student Association).  Students build projects and attend a competition in April.  Jesse is building a bridge and a catapult for his projects.

Jesse wants to attend OSU and earn a degree in veterinarian medicine.  He has been around animals all his life and enjoys his pets.  He has two dogs and several cows that he called special.  He wants a career in helping animals.

Jesse had some sound advice for peers entering high school.  He simply said go to school every day and pay attention to your teachers.  It makes it much easier. 

I asked Jesse about a special memory.  He thought a few moments.  He told me when he was six or seven he found a baby kitten under a junk pile.  He nursed the kitten back to health and had the kitten for two or three years before it ran away.  That’s when Jesse realized he wanted to be veterinarian.

Jesse Markes is making a difference at Pioneer and likes his involvement with FCA!  FCA is celebrating its 70 Anniversary this year.  It all began in Oklahoma in 1954!  That’s another article.