Extracurricular Activities
While at Oregon Tech, the extracurricular activities I have been involved with are Oregon Tech Racing, both the Baja and Formula SAE teams- Helping machine and fabricate parts for both cars and helping the senior projectors in developing each of their sub-systems. I had the opportunity to go to the BAJA SAE comp this year in Washougal, Washington. I helped with any last-minute adjustments to the car and helped communicate to the drivers in endurance for when they needed to pit. Ultimately leading to OTR Baja finishing 10th place in endurance out of 70+ cars. A personal best for Oregon Tech.
Tae Kwon Do, at Hi Yah Tae Kwon Do- I have been doing TKD since 2013 and at my school in Medford. I have been skyping each week while in Klamath Falls and learning the material and techniques remotely.
A Little Bit About Me
I live in Medford, Oregon, and I come from a middle-class family. My mother is a nurse and my father worked most of his life as an electrician. Currently, he manages design review for a solar company. I have a diverse list of interests. I love cars, bikes, rock climbing, hiking, and fabrication. Since 2013, I have been learning Tae Kwon Do at Hi Yah Tae Kwon Do, and I am almost at a black belt. I competed in SkillsUSA and have won Cabinetmaking in Oregon four years in a row through high school. Since being at Oregon Tech, I have been highly involved with the Baja and Formula SAE teams here. I have combined my love for cars and fabrication and using my current skills and building upon them and helping the captains get the cars ready for competition.
Why I Chose Oregon Tech and My Major
I chose Oregon Tech because of the small class sizes, hands-on learning, and the Baja and Formula SAE teams. These are important to me because I am a kinesthetic learner. I chose my major of mechanical engineering because it is the broadest engineering field. By learning and developing skills in various engineering areas, it opens more opportunities for me to use what I’ve learned.
My Influential Professors
Some of my influential professors are Irina Demeshko, Cliff Stover, and Joseph Reid. Demeshko and Reid are both excellent teachers. I have had the opportunity to take a class from both. They grade fairly and require you to learn the material, but they are excellent at teaching the classes they offer. At the end of their classes, you will have learned. I have heard similar things about Cliff Stover. He is the Baja SAE advisor and I know him from that, and he is excellent. He has years of industry experience and knowledge. He was able to tell us exactly how the Baja car needed to be designed to win. I look forward to classes with these professors.
My Greatest Learning Experience At Oregon Tech
After almost one year at Oregon Tech, my greatest learning experience without a doubt would have to be the Baja SAE team here. I joined the team with a base level of fabrication skills. Through working with the captains, I have learned how the design of the components affects the car, and how anything can work but what works best is where the engineering lies. After our most recent competition, I learned ergonomics is very important.
My Plans After Graduation
After graduation, I plan to use my education to further my understanding of how mechanisms function and ultimately work in a shop where I design, test, and apply different solutions to problems. My vision is to build and run a shop which specializes in off-road racing suspension and drive train components for Subarus. This would use my education by preparing me with the knowledge needed to deeply understand the different forces, strength, and materials needed to handle the harsher loads in off-road racing.