HSpokane Valley High’s Dillon Torske loves horticulture and mechanics

Dillon Torske realized early on that the traditional classroom was not his ideal setting.

“I’m dyslexic,” he says. “I was in special ed from the first grade until the eighth grade. When I started my freshman year of high school, I was reading at a third-grade level.”

Instead of moving on to East Valley High School, Torske opted instead for the individual instruction available at Spokane Valley High School. That change made all the difference.

Torske graduates as the Class of 2010 salutatorian.

“Dillon Torske symbolizes the best of what Spokane Valley High School produces due to his commitment to excellence, his desire to excel and his fun-loving spirit,” wrote one of his teachers, Patricia Perrenoud.

The school’s small class size and its emphasis on one-on-one learning allowed Torske to prosper.

“In four years at Spokane Valley High, my reading level has gone up to the ninth-grade level,” he said. “I think picking up six years in just four is a pretty good accomplishment.

“I was the kid who always got B’s and C’s in school. By the third quarter of my freshman year I realized that I had the capability to get A’s. I just had to put forth the effort.”

At Spokane Valley High Torske found a support community unlike any he’d known before.

“When you go to a regular high school, between friends and teachers you get to know, maybe, 20 people or so,” he explained. “When I walk into school I know everyone by name and they all know me. I’ve even met most of their parents. We’re on a first-name basis with the teachers and I’ve met most of their kids.

“For me, it’s a place where I’m comfortable asking for help. And other students are comfortable asking me for help, too. If I have a problem with something from my English class, for example, I can always ask my teacher for some help and all I have to do is find a time that works for both of us. That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned there: that it’s okay to ask for help if you’re having a problem with something.”

Torske has a reputation around school for having an infectious attitude – always quick with a joke or a smile, anything to brighten the day of the people around him.

“I love going to school,” he said. “When you’re having fun, it’s easy to have a great attitude.

“And I’m proud of what we accomplish there. I got interested in the horticulture program. It’s a real hands-on project and we learn how to run our own business. This year we raised 13,000 plants. It’s not a place for everyone. But for kids who need this kind of attention, it’s a great place to learn.”

After starting out in Tiger Cub Scouting at age 8, Torske made a goal out of becoming an Eagle Scout.

“I won every major award there was to win,” he said. “There were a few minor ones that never interested me that I didn’t work on, but I wanted the major ones.

“My brother was an Eagle Scout and I always thought that, if I was close, they’d go ahead and give it to me. Boy, was I wrong.”

Torske reached his goal in October last year.

“I could have gotten it a year earlier than that, but I messed around and it took me three years to finish what I should have finished in two years. That’s a big lesson: If you have something to finish, just get it done. Don’t mess around.”

More goals await after graduation.

Torske plans to enlist in the Navy as soon as possible. He wants to become a machinist’s mate and reach the rank of E-6 in three years – two if he can.

“I’m a total gearhead,” he said. “My dad is a mechanic and I got that from him. I love to take things apart and fix them. I’m huge into cars – in fact I just got my first car as a reward for making salutatorian and making Eagle Scout.”

Traveling by land in his dream car, a Lotus Elise or by sea in a Navy ship, Torske has a duffel bag full of plans and places to visit. His love for fantasy novels sparked a desire to go to Wales to see medieval castles. And his family tree prompted a desire to visit Norway to see his family’s farm.

When you’ve already come as far in life as Torske, the rest are just details.