Carli Beckett, a 2019 graduate of AHS, is thriving in her career as a Natural Resource Technician (NRT) at Wingfoot Lake State Park in Suffield, OH.
As an NRT, Beckett works in maintenance at Wingfoot where she helps to maintain the park. While most of her training to be an NRT comes from job experience, she had to be certified to operate a skid steer, chainsaw, boom lift and a bucket truck. In the summer months, she spends her days mowing, weed wacking, trimming trees, landscaping, painting, putting out paddle boats, assisting with the miniature putt putt course and dog park, cleaning up dead trees, servicing and repairing equipment and much more. During the winter months, she spends time winterizing and preparing for the upcoming spring.
Her favorite part of the job at Wingfoot is all the park goers who walk around with their dogs.
“They are always saying hello to us and making sure we know they love what we do for the park,” Beckett said.
While she loves her job as an NRT, it does come with some challenges.
“I am the only female NRT at Wingfoot,” Beckett said. “For me, it does challenge me to prove myself and my capabilities that I am able to do just as much.”
During her time at AHS, Beckett was involved in a number of activities, including interactive media, band, volleyball and softball. Her favorite memories of high school are of spending time with her friends and the teachers. The staff members that positively influenced her at AHS are Robb Quicci, her interactive media teacher, Shaun Fontaine, her band director, and Allison Morrison, her school counselor.
“AHS helped keep me on the right track to achieve my goals,” Beckett said. “Ever since graduation, I’ve gained my own kind of independence and know how I want to proceed with my life and future.”
What she remembers about her high school experience the most is playing in marching band during Friday night football games and the #LikeAGirl photoshoot. Beckett worked with two of her classmates to help combat stereotypes in girls sports by creating a series of posters using #LikeAGirl. The posters were shared on social media and hung in the schools to inspire young girls to be all they can be.
She hopes that all Aviators preparing to graduate know that they can do what they want to do. Beckett wants them to strive for greatness and to know that they can achieve anything.
“AHS is an amazing career ready school with so many opportunities for kids to prepare themselves for their futures and what they want to do,” she said.
In her spare time, Beckett loves to take pictures, hang out with her younger siblings, bake and spend time with her boyfriend, Sam, and two cats, Ziggy and Reesie. She also coaches a 10u Softball team and recently accepted a coaching position for the AHS Junior Varsity softball team. She is really excited to start her coaching journey with the JV team.