Featured Alumnus - November 2024

Coming into CCHS as a new student outside the SCCS system was scary and intimidating, but I quickly realized that my worries were unwarranted.  It didn’t take long before I was making friends and finding where I belonged within the CCHS community.  Mrs. Lenters was instrumental in getting me involved in the theatre program, and I went on to perform in seven out of the eight productions during my four years.  I also found a place as a member of several vocal ensembles, including Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Men’s Ensemble, and various smaller groups that performed for the Fine Arts Festival each year.  I would say that was all time well spent, considering I went on to have a seven-year career as a professional actor and singer.

After graduation, I went on the earn a B.A. in Theatre in 2015 from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA, where I met my wife, Brooke.  Once Brooke and I got married in 2017, we began the discussion of starting a family, and both made the tough decision to leave the performance industry in search of careers that were better suited to providing the stability and work/life balance needed to raise a family.  So, after more than 50 theatre productions, 6 TV commercials, and 2 feature films, I began the job hunt all over again; that’s when I found my career in Air Traffic Control.  I became a sworn-in employee of the FAA in January of 2022, completed training at the Oklahoma City Academy for ATC in April of the same year, and moved to Michigan 1 week later where I have been working as a controller at the Flint ATC Tower ever since (the water is fine).  As much as Brooke and I have enjoyed our time in Michigan with our two boys, Liam, 2, and Eli, 6 months, we are moving on yet again in August of 2024 to Texas, where I will be a controller at the San Antonio ATC Tower.  We look forward with much anticipation and excitement to this next chapter in our lives.

Looking back at my time spent at CCHS, knowing that there were several bad days and seemingly impossible challenges, I only remember the good stuff – the friendships, the memories made, and the lessons learned.  First day of freshman year was scary, but it taught me to step out of my comfort zone and make new friendships that lasted for years.  Being a part of the theatre department helped me find my love of performing, and I made memories that I still cherish to this day.  The challenges of everyday academic life allowed me to prove to myself that I could overcome adversity and rise to meet those challenges head-on.  I am grateful for all the students and teachers who made my four years at CCHS memorable, and I am so glad to share my story in this way.