FORKS — When Carlos Estrada heads to college in the fall, he will begin a new adventure for himself and for his family.
The valedictorian of his graduating class at Forks High School, Estrada said his greatest challenge through school was making sure he pushed himself academically.
Estrada, 18, will be among the 48 graduates who receive diplomas at the Forks High School graduation ceremony in the school’s gymnasium at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Engineering major
He plans to attend Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, where he will major in engineering.
“I view engineering very artistically,” he said. “I want to get into computer engineering — that sort of thing — and to me, it is an art.”
Estrada will be the first in his immediate family to go to college.
“I grew up with my family all doing agricultural work,” he said. “I’ve done that before with them, and I know that isn’t what I want for myself in the future.”
Throughout his education, his family has been his inspiration and support.
“They have been my greatest influence,” he said.
“My parents never had any of the educational opportunities that I have, and it has motivated me to push forward and always do my best in school.
“I am really excited about getting out there and starting out on my own career.”
He said he eventually wants to return to Forks.
“I’d like to experience the big city, but someday it would be nice to come back here and stay for the rest of my life,” he said.
Forks Vice Principal Mark Brandmire said Estrada was an inspiring student.
“He has always done a really great job overcoming every challenge,” he said.
Estrada — who is a member of the National Honor Society and a soccer player — said he enjoyed art class the most of any of his activities.
“I love to use art to show who I am and where I came from,” he said.
“I enjoy painting a lot, but my favorite thing is drawing and pastels.”
Estrada contributed pieces to the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center exhibit of Strait Art with ArtPaths, which opened May 17 and continues through June 28. The center is at 1203 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
OTHER NORTH OLYMPIC Peninsula graduation ceremonies are:
• Quileute Tribal School — A-Ka-Lat Community Center, LaPush, 5 p.m. June 11.
• Olympic Christian School — Independent Bible Church, 6 p.m. June 11.
• Sequim High School — football stadium, 6 p.m. June 12.
• Clallam Bay High School — Clallam Bay School, 7 p.m. June 12.
• Port Townsend High School — McCurdy Pavilion, 7 p.m. June 12.
• Port Angeles High School — school gymnasium, 8 p.m. June 12.
• Chimacum High School — McCurdy Pavilion, Port Townsend, 1 p.m. June 13.
• Peninsula College — college gymnasium, Port Angeles, 2 p.m. June 13.
• Quilcene High School — school gymnasium, 2 p.m. June 13.
• Crescent High School — school gymnasium, 3 p.m. June 13.
• Lincoln High School — North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center, 4 p.m. June 15.
Peninsula Daily News
