Student Perspective

From Kiamachi Tech - Eufaula High School

Meet Alexander Worley and JoDan Marshall of EAST at Kiamichi Tech - Eufaula High School. Two young men described as leaders and regular project developers for their EAST program, by EAST Facilitator Allison Aday. Both Alex and JoDan recently presented on behalf of their program to the EAST Board of Directors and discussed their success with projects before and during the pandemic. It was their discussion of personal growth and great presentation skills that led us to sit down with them and dive a little deeper into what EAST means to them. As seniors these two young men are graduating from Kiamichi Tech - Eufaula High School, after having completed two astounding projects and are nearly self-taught experts in difficult software for architecture and coding.

Q: Tell us who you are, where you’re from and how you found EAST?

Alexander: I am Alexander Worley, and this is my fourth year in EAST.

JoDan: I am JoDan Marshall, and this is my third year in EAST.

Alexander: At my high school, EAST is a class for sophomores, juniors, and seniors because it has a prerequisite class of Computers I. During the summer before my freshman year of high school, I took Computers I online to complete this prerequisite early. While browsing my school’s course catalog, I happened to meet Mrs. Aday, my EAST Facilitator. Our conversation eventually led to me joining my school’s EAST Program as the only freshman in my school’s history. Looking back, that was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Throughout my life, I have always had passions for community service and technology. Through EAST, I have been able to combine these two passions and positively impact my local community!

JoDan: After being involved with the Volleyball/Cove project, I quickly realized that I could be of service to my community through EAST. I have taken the opportunity to attend an EAST training on Revit at the University of Arkansas and have used my skills in architecture on several EAST projects. I have designed a new press box for our football stadium, a local event center, a historic building’s renovation, and our high school office.

Q: First memory of EAST?

Alexander: I spent my first year in EAST learning about Blender and eventually gave a presentation to my school board. I had never given such a major presentation before, but this experience made me more comfortable with future presentations.

JoDan: When I was a freshman, I was asked to help with the Volleyball/Cove project, a project to help improve the volleyball courts by adding sand, replacing the nets and picking up trash. I saw how an upperclassmen designed the volleyball court in 123 Design. This sparked my interest in CAD software and I started watching YouTube videos to learn Revit. I began with simple designs, but quickly started getting requests for more complicated projects. I watched as many YouTube tutorials as I could. The more I watched the more interested I became.

Q: Memorable project in EAST you’d like to share?

Alexander: I am incredibly fond of “Project Aqua.” My city has a local museum struggling to encourage the younger people in our community to learn about their local area’s history. After meeting with the museum, we decided to create a virtual reality exhibit to ignite a passion for history within our community’s youth. As the museum did not have a computer capable of running virtual reality, I ended up building a computer entirely from scratch with funding from the museum and the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street Improvement Grant. As for the virtual environments, my teammate and I are currently working to recreate our city in Unreal Engine 4 across three different time periods in what is by far our most challenging project yet!

JoDan: My most memorable project would have to be the design and construction of the press box. It required me to learn a lot of new tools in Revit. Not to mention the fact that the press box will be there for years to come, and I will be able to say, “I designed that!” It was then I realized I could make a career out of this!

Q: What technology have you used while you have been enrolled in EAST?

Alexander: Through EAST, I have learned about and used Blender, Unreal Engine 4, Virtual Reality Hardware/Software, and how to build a computer entirely from scratch.

JoDan: I have used Revit 2019 while a part of EAST because I love architecture.

Q: How has your experience in EAST shaped your future goals/plans?

Alexander: Throughout my life, I have always had a passion for community service and technology. EAST opened my eyes to the realization that these two passions did not have to be exclusive to one another. Throughout my four years in EAST, I have learned how to combine these two passions and use technology to better my local community. Upon graduating high school, I plan to go to college and major in computer science. I hope to combine the knowledge I learn in college with the passion I cultivated through EAST to start a company that works to research and develop new technologies that can be used to better the lives of people all around the world.

JoDan: My EAST experience has influenced my decision to major in civil engineering and construction management in college.

Q: How have you served your community while in EAST, and how do you plan to continue serving your community in the future?

Alexander: While in EAST, I have worked with various teams to create virtual reality environments and simulations that benefit my community. For example, we created a model of what a proposed wetland would look like if built in our city. We shared our virtual wetland environment with our community and city council. People were able to put on the virtual reality headset and explore the environment before deciding to approve it. Additionally, we have created a local grocery store model for our school’s Special Education Department. Upon its completion, the Special Education Coordinator for our high school plans to use this simulation to allow special education students to practice shopping for groceries before they shop for groceries in real life. We are currently working to create three full-scale models of our city across three different time periods for a local museum. The completed simulation will become an exhibit housed in the museum for anyone to experience. We hope that this project will excite our community’s youth to learn more about their city’s history and support the museum in the future.

JoDan: I design buildings for our community partners. I recently started a new project to redesign one of the historic buildings in our city. The building is falling apart. A classmate and I are drawing the building’s layout to be seen three-dimensionally (3D). I am using Revit, and my classmate is using ArchiCAD. The owner will use the drawing to help him receive a historical restoration grant, to restore the building to what it was in its “glory days.”

Q: What would you like to see happen with EAST in the future?

Alexander: I would like to see EAST continue to grow until it is a household name. EAST has the power to change students’ lives, and everyone deserves the opportunity to experience an EAST Classroom.

JoDan: I would like to see EAST spread internationally and give everyone in the world a chance to learn the skills that we have learned.

Q: What advice would you give to EAST students that are graduating soon?

Alexander: Do not forget what you have learned in EAST. That passion you have to use technology to help your community one project at a time? Keep it, cherish it, and never forget it. Take the passion, run with it, and make the world a better place!

JoDan: Keep your eyes open! There are a lot of jobs that require the skills we have learned in EAST. Always remember your community partners; they will be valuable contacts for resumes.

Q: Give us a quote you live by and that has helped you in EAST?

Alexander: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

JoDan: “Be the light in the darkness.” -Thomas Rhett

Alexander Worley

JoDan Marshall