WORTHINGTON — Between competing at state in speech, pole vaulting on the track team, playing the clarinet in marching band, performing in the school musical, and volunteering at St. Mary’s Church, Worthington High School student Marco A. Ramos has had an action-packed senior year.
He’s even joined a group of community members helping the city of Worthington with a revamp of its long-term plan.
“I’m the youngest one on there,” said Ramos, the son of Maria and Marco T. Ramos, of Worthington, noting that his background in construction has given him a useful perspective to add to the group.
He and his father have a small construction business together — Ramos Construction — and the younger Ramos has already almost obtained his general contractor’s license.
This summer, he’s hoping to work with electricians at Worthington Public Utilities, before heading to Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Jackson to join its electrician program.
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That isn’t the culmination of Ramos’ plans, though.
“My parents have always told me, ‘Get that big degree,’” he said.
As such, he’s hoping to continue on to a four-year school to pursue a career in engineering. Though he hasn’t decided on a specialty yet, he’s hoping to minor in nuclear engineering, as he’s extremely interested in fusion reactors, and the small commercial reactors becoming more common as the industry has advanced technologically.
Ramos became interested in the tech during freshman year, when it was one of the very last things his class studied.
“It always interested me. It’s a small sun you’re making in a power plant,” he said, noting that scientists are constantly publishing new research in the field.
While Ramos will graduate from WHS next week, he has already catapulted past another milestone, having graduated from Minnesota West Community and Technical College with an associate degree last Friday.
He started the post-secondary enrollment option program last year, earning 15 or 16 college credits every semester at no cost to him, apart from the challenge of scheduling.
“I finished my last (Minnesota West) assignment Tuesday on the bus home from track,” Ramos said, noting that finding time to keep up was challenging, but worth it. “I saved myself so much money.”
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And now, when he goes on for further schooling, he can focus on his degree work rather than general education requirements. He hopes to eventually head to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis to study engineering.
Many adults, let alone students, would find Ramos’ schedule this past semester daunting. He’d wake up and head for WHS for his Total Fit class, before heading to band and then lunch. From 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., he’d do homework from his PSEO classes, which are typically offered online rather than in person. After that, he’d head back to Trojan Field for track, then head home to wash up and spend more time on homework or help with the family business.
“I’ve been slowly trying to get better, to schedule things, to keep myself on track and finish everything,” he said. “I really do recommend (PSEO) to as many people as I can. It is so helpful for just finishing everything out, for just your generals.”
It also gives him more liberty to do what he wants to do and learn what he hopes to learn.
Ramos’ advice to young people entering high school is to get involved, participate in programs and build good connections with teachers. Activities, he said, help you improve yourself, either physically or mentally.
“It can really affect the outcome, even what college you’re going to,” Ramos said.
It isn’t just about being the best. His favorite activity is the pole vault.
“I’m not great at it, but I really do love doing it. And I love my coach, Bryon Spittle,” he said. “It’s something that you have to work on to actually improve.”
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And earning that new height or new position?
“That’s just the best feeling, when you get that adrenaline.”
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