Independent student moves ahead of pack

Kali Karst will graduate from Project CDA on Thursday, but the 18-year-old high school senior is already partly finished with her freshman year of college – an accomplishment which can be attributed to her strong work ethic and determination.

For the last two years Karst has been enrolled at both Project CDA, a fully accredited alternative high school, and North Idaho College. She has taken eight college-level courses and earned 15 credits.

And not only is she busy with her academics, she also works 25 hours a week at a local bakery and has lived on her own since last June.

“I’ve always been very independent,” Karst said. Those close to her are impressed with the accomplishments.

“She does it all,” said her school counselor Jeri Midgley, calling Karst kind and courteous.

In what little free time she does have, Karst enjoys volunteering at the Kootenai Humane Society. Her dream is to become a veterinarian, something she has known she wanted to do since she was 7.

“I had quite a few animals growing up,” said Karst, who now has two snakes and a rat.

Karst, who has a 3.5 grade-point average, enjoys the high school and said the small class size allows the instructors to give more individual help to the students.

While the dual enrollment has given her an increased workload, she said she would still encourage others to try it if possible.

“It gives you experience with college so you’re not blown away by the whole experience when you do go to college,” she said.

Living on her own has also been a bit challenging at times for Karst, who says the financial aspect has been the most difficult. But she wouldn’t do anything differently.

“I’ve worked since I was 12 years old,” said Karst, who has held jobs at a movie theater, graphics design firm and an insurance firm.

But the heavy school load, working 25 hours a week and managing a household did not keep her from getting involved with her class at Project CDA this year.

There are 40 students in the 2010 graduating class and this year many were talking about the fact the school has never had a senior prom. Karst did what she could to change that.

“I talked to the principal who gave us permission (to have one) and I organized the first ever senior prom,” said Karst, describing it as her best high school experience.

As she receives her high school diploma this week, Karst is already looking forward to getting on with the next phase of her life.

She knows it will take hard work and planning to fulfill her dream of becoming a veterinarian, but she has already researched it thoroughly and knows what she needs to do to accomplish her goal.

Midgley has already cast her vote for success.

“She is very hard working and determined,” said Midgley. “I’m sure she’ll do it.”