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Show TEMPLAR TRUMPET, FEBRUARY 11, 1999 PAGE 5 MHS Alumni Page By; Anna Osmond, Emily Braithwaite, Sheleen Willmore, Brooke Birk Huntsville, we have a Templar Sean became interested in math and science. I particularly enjoyed Mr. Good's physics class. Sean took full advantage of all the classes MHS offered him. When asked for any advise that he might have to students who want to become engineers (Sean with his wife Carla and daughter Maren) By:Anna Osmond A small high school designing and writing software lead to much bigger things for and requirements for new MHS alumni Sean Thompson. systems, recommending new Sean graduated from MHS in systems, and giving 1988 and from there set out on presentations on our system a long road to fulfill his dreams capabilities. Sean had to put in a lot ofbecoming an engineer. Sean is currently of work to get where he is employed as an electronics today. Believe it or not, engineer for NASA at attending Manti High School Marshall Space Flight Center was one of the first steps Sean in Huntsville, Alabama. took towards accomplishing Marshall is where most propulsion systems for space flight, from the first American satellite to the Apollo flights that went to the moon to todays space shuttle to rockets of the future, are developed and managed. Sean sets-ucoordinates, operates, and develops instrumentation and the p, computer systems used during the load testing of space structures. These structures have included the new external tank for the shuttle, modules of the space station, and tanks for the X-3- 3. daily work includes recommending My instrumentation and computer systems for upcoming tests, coordinating set-u- p before the test, operating the systems and troubleshooting during tests, stated Sean, My job also includes training others to use the systems, his goal. . In high school Sean was involved in a range of activities that extra-curricul- ar included band, seminary council, musicals, J.V. basketball and tennis, technical crew for the auditorium, DJ for dances. Model United Nations, jazz band, NHS and others. Along with my other activities I also admit that I took academics seriously and knew that diligence in that area would provide opportunities in the future. Accordingly, homework and studying were always a priority, said Sean, I enjoyed most all class subjects, except for history, which I deplored. Somewhere along the line I realized that I needed to take all of the math that I could get to get a head start into college, and so my class schedule was set up mainly for college preparation, taking classes for writing college credit whenever procedures for the systems. possible. Sean replied, Acquire a strong foundation in math, science, and English, but work hard in all of your classes. Do not learn the material solely to pass a test, but try to learn it so that you will never forget it. Engineers are often working on teams and it is important that they be able to interact with people from a wide variety ofbackgrounds to achieve a common goal. English and public speaking are also crucial. If you go into engineering to get away from writing, think again. While engineers do not write everyday, there are still many things that need to be written and written well. It took discipline, determination, and hard work. but Sean finally accomplished his dreams. He started out as a freshman at Manti High School just like the rest of us, but the choices he made to work hard and take advantage of everything MHS has to offer him, is what got him to where he is today. believe that small schools are an advantage, stated Sean, But, like many I things, only ifthe students use that advantage. I felt like attending MHS was beneficial because it let me participate in a wide range of academic and activities. extra-cumcul- ar Sean, along with many others has become a great could never be blamed on Manti High School. Use your time at MHS wisely. Enjoy it. W'ork hard. Be a friend to every one and you will never regret it. Do not let anything stand in your way of attending college, including finances. A friend once told me that opportunities come to everyone, but only those that are prepared can take advantage of them. Use MHS to prepare for the opportunities that come your way. The possibilities are limitless, remarked Sean, While successful careers are impressive, MHS stands out in a more important way. In a world of shitting values, MHS provides an environment where proper values can be nurtured example tor many of us still in high school to follow. He is the perfect example of a person who goes the extra mile to get ahead in hie, and he has shown us all how to take advantage of all the many opportunities MHS has to otter us. and, more importantly to students, can be respected. Values are necessary for success in college and Academically, 1 can always be proud to be from MHS. 1 found that I could make the grades I desired and everything in life, including file itself, lhat environment may very well be the true w orth of Manti High School. Take full if I had any limitations they advantage of it. |