“Life in the US is a little bit fast paced whereas in Kenya life is laid back,” freshman Brian Kiarie who moved here from Kenya said. “The cost of living in Kenya is cheaper than it is in the US and in terms of technology, the USA is more developed and education is easier here.”

However, this was not Brian’s first time to the US.

“I had come to the US in 2008 of December to a college graduation for my sister. After completing my elementary school, I moved here to join my family,” Kiarie, whose mother is a nurse at United Regional said.

Students complain about seven classes but to Kiarie, it is nothing. His school day in Kenya started at 8:15 a.m. and ended at 3:50 p.m. with at least 12 classes a day. While WFISD students take one science per year, Kiarie took Biology, Chemistry and Physics all at the same time.

“In Kenya, we only had three breaks. We went to school from May to August, September to December, then January to April,” Kiarie said.

In Kenya, students must have four years of a university.

“Kenya’s education system is similar to British education system (Eight years of elementary, four years of high school, and four years of a university),” Kiarie said.

Back home in Kenya, Kiarie lived with his grandparents and worked on their farm after school. Life was fairly easy and also simple.

“The slogan of the people of Kenya is ‘hakuna matata’ which means don’t worry, enjoy life,” Kiarie said.

The people of Kenya must speak ‘Swahili’ which is the national language. They also speak English and an additional a dialect unique to each community.

“Brian speaks excellent English, he is just very shy,” Brian’s ESL teacher Joyce Gill said.

“I enjoy it here,”Kairie said. “It is easy, but fast paced.”

All of these students will compete in the state competition at Corpus Christi on March 26-27. If they win state, they will compete on the National Level this summer.

All of these Carrigan students are under the direction of Ms. Leah Tunnell.

Leah Tunnell, principal of Carrigan Career Center, has been working in the WFISD for 20 years.

“This is my fourth year as principal at Carrigan,” Tunnell said. “[I've been] a teacher at Hirschi, a counselor at Rider, an assistant principal at Jefferson [Elementary School] and an assistant principal at Rider.”

Although Ms. Tunnell is happy at Carrigan, there is a change she would like to make to the program.

“If we have room in our classes, then there aren’t enough students attending,” Tunnell said. “Right now, we are at about 70 percent capacity.”

Carrigan isn’t exactly a huge place, but there are plenty of spaces available for hopeful attendees.

“We have six labs that can house up to 15-17 students per class, except Cosmetology, which can allow 25 students.”

Most Carrigan classes are two years long, and once the students complete the classes they are considered ready for an entry-level position in the field of their training.

“I think it is important to remember that not all students attend a two or four year university after high school,” Tunnell said. “Our programs provide students with training and skills necessary to leave high school with a great skill that can land them in a high wage or high demand job immediately upon graduation.”

Cosmetology is the largest offered class, and is made up of mostly girls. Cosmetology I class is open to juniors for its first year and seniors for Cosmetology II.

“I love that these students have the ability to leave our program after two years and be a fully licensed cosmetologist in Texas,” Tunnell said. “They can begin their career right after high school graduation making a great salary with opportunity for advancement.”

“Cosmetology is so much fun,” junior Leslie Trejo said. “And it’s a great way to work through law school.”

Although a class about doing hair sounds like fun and games, there is a lot of hard work behind it.

“We’re here Monday through Friday,” Trejo said. “Mondays until 6, and Tuesdays through Fridays until 4.”

The cosmetology students are learning many aspects of the business.

“We learn to cut, color, and style hair,” Trejo said. “We also learn to do natural and acrylic nails and make up, so pretty much everything you would do in a salon.”

The cosmetology program takes participants two years and three periods a day to earn their licenses.

“Once I finally get my license, I’m going to be so happy!” Trejo said. “I’ll have a steady source of income for college, and then I will be able to achieve my real dream: law school.”

Welding is a class is open to students grade 10-12, and once a student completes Welding II the are considered ready to start in an entry-level welding job.

“This course combines art, science, math and visual skills to create a format the students really love,” Tunnell said. “The most rewarding part of this class is watching the students come to us as ‘wannabe welders’ and leave with the skills, ability and maturity to earn a great wage in a high demand occupation.”

Electronics is a two year class that gives students the opportunity to excel in the robotics or engineering industry. Electronics students learn soldering, care of tools, and hardware components.

“It is exciting that most of our students in this class have the ability to leave Carrigan with at least half the college hours necessary towards an associates degree,” Tunnell said. “We had some students graduate high school and obtain an associates degree before Christmas of the next year!”

Machining technology students are heavily trained in the safe use of hand tools and in making precision measurements.

“This class is very closely related with the workforce opportunity market in Wichita Falls, and our teacher knows virtually every machinist in town,” Tunnell said. “If a student is serious about a career in machining, he can come to this class, learn the techniques and skills necessary, and the instructor can find him or her a job in the field before graduation!”

Auto collision is much like working in an actual body shop. Students learn glass work, body and metal repairs, how to calculate an estimate, and painting techniques.

“My favorite thing about this class is that students learn the basics and the complexities of refurbishing an automobile,” Tunnell said. “Most students don’t realize how much math, science, and manual dexterity is involved in this course, I really like that they get such a good experience working with math and science in this class.”

Construction students work with Habitat for Humanity in their training. They learn carpentry and basic trade skills, including instruction on how to use power tools.

“Students in this class learn how to build a house over the course of a year because we partner with Habitat for Humanity and build a house for that entity from start to finish,” Tunnell said. “I love it that this group of students learn th importance of giving back to the community through a high school course.”

“Approximately 20 students from Rider were possibly diagnosed,” Rider nurse Kristy Lyn said. “I had to put an A or B on them.” The H1N1 did not turn out as bad as they had predicted, just widespread. It seems many over exaggerated the whole thing. “I have not seen anything, it is pretty much non-existent,” Lyn said. However, that does not mean do not be cautious. “Right now it is not a big deal, but it can serge up at any time,” Lyn said.

Since the days of enjoying sliced oranges after his game or getting the routine McDonalds on the drive home, Aaron Kurtz has had the dream of playing soccer his whole life. His dream continues as of Feb. 25 when he signed with Wayland Baptist University.

“My goal is to get a higher education, play soccer, and survive college,” Kurtz said.  “I think college soccer will be better.”

Kurtz currently plays soccer for Rider and competitively with Express Soccer.

“I always seem to enjoy competitive more because you surrounded by people who want to be out there,” Kurtz said. “I’m not saying high school kids don’t want to play but people out there have to pay, so they are actually trying.”

Kurtz’s parents support him in his chosen plans.

“My mom is really excited,” Kurtz said. “She just can’t wait to see me play some college ball.”

Kurtz hopes to be a starter by the beginning of his Sophomore year.

“The coaches there are really cool,” Kurtz said. “If you work your butt off, you’ll get to play.”

As the days near, Kurtz’s dreams get closer and closer.

“I love it all,” Kurtz said. “When you get a sweet goal or something and the crowd goes wild — it’s just amazing.”