The Future of MHS Students

Professionals Share Their Insight With Students Interested In Pursuing Similar Career Paths

— Kelsie Hildebrand, Editor-in-Chief

Junior Damian McCormick & Orthopeadic Surgeon Timothy Juelson

There are many students who are undecided on what their life’s calling is. A survey was sent out for the students of Mandan High School that already have their college major set in stone. Ranging from tending to the needs of sick animals to the divine arts of grilling hamburger patties, students and professionals share the why’s, what’s and how’s for their career choice in hopes to learn something new and inform others who are confused. Junior Damian McCormick has an interest in helping people and making the world a better place. He has wanted to go into the medical field for as long as he can remember, and he would like to be either a trauma or orthopedic surgeon. “I plan on attending UND for four years as an undergraduate and UCSD or UCLA for four year as a transfer for medical school.” McCormick said. “I want to live in Los Angeles, and complete the surgical residency program, which is about four years long then continue working at a teaching hospital, so I can help other students become doctors too.” Doctor Timothy Juelson tore his ACL playing football in high school, which changed his life instantly. Juelson went through eleven months of ACL reconstruction and two additional surgeries to get back to regular activities. “Orthopeadic surgery encompassed math, science and working with a team of professionals to help people become active again, which seemed like the perfect profession,” Juelson said. “We have a tremendous opportunity to help people regain function, so all the work and hoops we jump through become worthwhile when we see our patients accomplish their goals, and they can go back to chasing their dreams.” Juelson focused on passing the Medical College Admissions Test, which set him up for the rest of his medical schooling. He completed a total of fourteen years in school which includes undergraduate school, medical school, orthopeadic surgery residency and orthopeadic surgery sports fellowship where he helped perform a sixteen hour spine deformity correction surgery. “Try to do something every day to make yourself better and spend some time with a surgeon to make sure surgery is the right choice for you,” Juelson said. “Most importantly, shoot for the stars and realize that you can perform better and accomplish great things.”

Senior Keira Horner & Executive Director and Founder of Sleep Hollow Theatre Susan Lundberg

Senior Keira Horner hopes to get into one of her top college picks being University of Jamestown or Valley City State University for a minimum of four years. While in college, Horner looks to perform with choir and theatre clubs in order to get opportunities to go somewhere else afterwards. “This has been my passion since seventh grade, because I had a hard time fitting in at school,” Horner said. “I once was told that when words fail music speaks, and that is when I fell in love with music and theater, because I found my voice.” Executive Director and Founder of Sleepy Hollow Theatre, Susan Lundberg, grew up being active in choir and theatre throughout high school, which resulted in her enrollment at Stephens College in Columbia, MO. She majored in music no doubt, but also history with excellent teaching. “Going to college is beneficial as it is not only about a field of study, but also about interacting with new people and having experiences in attending lectures, concerts, performances, etc.” Lundberg said. “It allows a person to grow and expand your world.” Lundberg established Sleepy Hollow Theatre with her family in 1990 with the idea “to nurture youth by providing quality preprofessional educational opportunities in the arts that result in the cultural enrichment of our communities and state.” The theatre’s motto is “be prepared,” which is accurate for almost every career out there. Preparation, organization and cooperation are valuable skills which Sleepy Hollow teaches its young stars. “We literally found a park on the east side of town which was hilly and totally undeveloped and hosted our first show, which featured a live orchestra and full cast of students with lights, sound, sets and costumes,” Lundberg said. “It was another world where creativity was everything.”