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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Jon Watson
Jonathan Watson Family Inspires Him
By JoEllen Collins for The Weekly Sun
Jon Watson, a graduating senior at Wood River High School, transferred two years ago from King George, Va., when his father was promoted to a managerial position with Cox Communications-Sun Valley.
“My former school had a schedule of only four classes a day, each one-and-a-half hours in length, and a one-hour lunch period,” Watson said. “We had enough time in class to work independently and use the information that had just been presented to us.”
Watson feels he could have done better adjusting to the routines of his current high school, but has enjoyed his classes.
“I have learned to focus more here and to take advantage of the curriculum,” he said. “I am interested in kinesiology, and may someday be a trainer or a physical therapist. I’ll attend CSI and then Boise State. One reason for this choice is that I am the last of four kids at home, and I enjoy helping my father. I don’t need, at this stage of life, to be too far away.”
Watson lives in Hailey. His previous campus in Virginia, with its rolling hills and farmland, was good for riding horses and also for cross-country track. He had been running since seventh grade and felt proud to be competing in a conference-championship team his sophomore year.
“I also appreciate the Wood River Valley landscape because I ski so much,” Watson said. “It’s one of my favorite sports, along with playing rugby as a hobby. Of course, hanging out with my friends is the best. I am gregarious, though usually a bit shy until I know people. Now my friends say I am talkative and even loud: that’s fine with me.”
Watson works Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights until 11:30 p.m. at the Power House in Hailey, and plans to work full time this summer for That’s Entertainment in Ketchum.
He is from a dedicated military family.
“My mother is a Major in the United States Army, stationed at Ft. Doyle in Utah. She went to law school, joined the Army, and now is a Judge Advocate General (JAG). She worked at the Pentagon and was deployed to Iraq,” Watson said.
Though Watson has no plans to enter the military, two of his brothers are at West Point and doing well. Another brother is a senior at Pittsburgh State University and on the rugby team.
“That is why our house seems empty with just the two of us,” Watson said. “When we are all together, it is special: we enjoy skiing, camping, and playing video, board and card games. My mother often comes home on weekends. Even when she was deployed for a year, she surprised us halfway through her tour by suddenly showing up and taking us to Disney World before returning to Iraq.
“I have a great relationship with my father,” he continued. “He has made me think clearly about my goals and actions. I think I take after him a bit.”
Each week, JoEllen Collins will be profiling a local high-school student. If you know someone you'd like to see featured, e-mail joellencollins1@gmail.com.