2017’s 20 Under 20: Samuel Baumer, Rock Bridge High School

Age: 18

Parents’ names:

Clif and Michele.

Post-graduation plans:

Pre-nursing at College of the Ozarks.

Dream job:

Emergency nurse/ wilderness guide.

Favorite class in high school:

Either my EMT course or civic studies.

Favorite club or extracurricular in high school:

Cross country.

Proudest accomplishment in high school:

Getting accepted into College of the Ozarks.

Best advice you’ve ever received:

Even when you’re good, someone will always be better than you, so always do your best and don’t feel the need to compare yourself to other people.

Biggest lesson learned in high school:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2). Life is too short and too important to follow the fads.

Future goals:

Become an emergency nurse, run the Leadville Ultramarathon in under 25 hours, visit every national park, start a guide service.

Favorite teacher:

Mrs. (Gwen) Struchtemeyer.

Person I admire and why:

My mom, because she’s such a hardworking, humble, loving human being that sacrificed her career to raise my brother and I after being one of the first women to penetrate the male-dominated field of conservation.

What you do for fun:

Trail run, mountain bike, canoe, backpack, camp, hunt, fish, garden.