Cool Kids: Energetic student says hectic pace suits her
For Kimberly Thom, there is no such thing as free time. The junior at Lakeland High School is in attendance at the Rathdrum school only one day a week. Other days she can be found at North Idaho College where she takes classes for college and high school credit, J.C. Penney, where she works at least 20 hours a week, or at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, where she takes part in a program called the Resort Academy.
“I am trying to get my associates degree before I graduate (from high school) next year,” said Thom.
A driven young woman, Thom has a 3.9 grade-point average and plans to take eight classes next semester. While the hectic pace and nontraditional approach to high school may not appeal to some, for Thom it is a perfect fit.
“I don’t want my whole life to be centered around school,” said Thom, who adds that while she enjoys academics, she also enjoys the freedom that comes with dual enrollment at NIC and Lakeland High and having the flexibility to then go to work or wherever her schedule demands she be at the time.
Thom said it is also nice to learn in an environment where people are there because they want to be, not because they have to be.
“The people at NIC are there because they actually want to learn,” she said.
Thom’s cousins live in Washington and participate in a program called Running Start, similar to the dual enrollment that she is doing through NIC. It was at her cousin’s urging that Thom decided to try dual enrollment. Although it calls for a busy life, she has no regrets.
The time she spends at the Resort Academy at the Coeur d’Alene Resort is part of a unique program that links high school kids with employees of the resort and teaches them everything from housekeeping to banquet preparation.
“Most of the class is designed for people who want to go into hospitality,” said Thom, who added the two-year course is worth eight high school credits.
Thom said she would eventually like to be a wedding coordinator and her time spent at the Resort Academy has enabled her to experience firsthand all that the job entails.
“I actually got to help out at one of the weddings,” she said. “It really helped me decide if that is what I want to do. A lot of times you have an image of what something is like and it doesn’t live up to what you want it to be.”
The Academy accepts 18 students into the program and each individual has a partner. For two days a week, they experience firsthand life in one of the departments at the resort including front desk reception, reservations, housekeeping, laundry, banquet food preparation, banquet food service, and food preparation and service in the Dock Side restaurant at the resort.
“The idea of the program is to experience all different aspects of the resort,” said Thom, who said that two days a week are spent in class at the resort.
As part of the Resort Academy program, students must perform community service. Members of the group are helping out a less fortunate family for Christmas and Thom plans on volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission next semester. She decided on the charity after listening to a friend present a persuasive speech on volunteerism at the organization.
“It’s good to do community service because I haven’t been involved in much (outside of school),” said Thom. “Besides it’s always nice to go and help people.”
Thom’s future plans include attending Portland State University. “I think it’s best to get a business degree if I eventually want to own my own business.” She said most courses for wedding coordinators are offered online. She prefers live classroom instruction but said she will do what it takes to receive the training she needs for becoming a wedding planner as well as opening her own business. It will take dedication, but Thom has already proved she is capable of that.
“I’m really high energy and I like it that way,” said Thom. “I think that’s why I can handle my life right now.”