By Derrick Smith
Schools like Northwest Technology Center give high school students an early look at possible career options once they graduate. For some it could be choosing a career path while others may already know what they want to do and get a head start on that. Aiden Sanborn, who is a junior at Cherokee High School, also attends the Alva campus of Northwest Tech and is enrolled in the Auto Tech program.
“I first heard about the auto program from my friend, Paden Porter,” Sanborn said. “He was in the program and was talking about working on cars with me after school one day. I have always had a mechanical brain and I have always had an interest in cars. So that is how I ended up in the Auto program.”
Aiden has enjoyed being in the program and says that he would definitely recommend Northwest Tech to any high school student that is looking to get an early start on their career.
“I would tell them just to take it whether they end up going into that job or not,” he said. “You can learn something new or interesting you didn’t know before. I don’t think I’ve ever really wanted to be a mechanic, but I always enjoy learning new things.”
As a student at Cherokee, Sanborn is a multisport athlete, playing football, basketball, and running track.
“I enjoy the competitive atmosphere of my sports,” he said. “I also really like all the friendships that I have made while playing.”
Throughout his life, Aiden says that there have been numerous people that have had an influence on him and helped him become the person that he is today.
“I have been influenced by many people around me, whether that be my friends, teachers, coaches, or family,” he stated. “My friends constantly push me and help me become a better person in just about everything I do. My teacher would do anything for me academically to make me better or help me understand what we are learning in class that day. My coaches always push me to be better than the day before in every aspect of my life. While I have my family who has to put up with all my crap.”
