Keith BrandsmaAdventure awaits Keith Brandsma as he looks to his future. Keith, a Falcon High School salutatorian, plans to travel to New Zealand on a five-month mission program. The program, Discipleship Training School, will give Keith the opportunity to immerse himself in a different culture.”The first three months are the lecture phase, or Bible study. The other two months are the outreach phase, which is when I will be backpacking and ministering to the indigenous Maori people,” Keith said.He hasn’t decided what his next adventure might entail when he returns to Colorado, but he said attending college in Colorado is an option.Keith, a National Honor Society member, has applied himself in both educational and extra-curricular activities. Keith took several AP classes this year: biology, government, statistics, world history and English literature. History is his favorite subject because “it’s like a big story.” Drama productions, Knowledge Bowl and the Colorado Bar Association High School mock trial program also occupied his time.When he is not in school Keith enjoys backpacking and hiking.Keith has one piece of advice for next year’s senior class. “It pays to work hard, but you need to be sure to get time to play, too,” he said.Raul FrancoFalcon High School valedictorian Raul Franco has found success both on and off the football field. In the fall, the FHS starting cornerback and place kicker plans to attend the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He is enrolled in the honors program at the university and plans to study pre-med. “I love science and medicine, and taking care of others,” Raul said.His favorite subjects at FHS were calculus, chemistry and biology. Raul said the highlight of his senior year was playing in the 2007 3A Colorado state football championship. Raul also played three years of basketball at FHS, serves as the National Honor Society vice president, and is a member of Link crew, a group of FHS students that help incoming freshman feel welcome at the school.Raul feels fortunate to be the first class to graduate from the new FHS building. “I think it’s exciting,” Raul said. “The class of 2008 is the right class to be the first to graduate from the new school. We have had an impact on the community.” Raul has made his own impact on the community. He volunteers at the Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church and SHARE Colorado.In 10 years Raul foresees himself as a medical school graduate and doctor residing in Colorado.His advice to next year’s senior class is to “Have fun and enjoy the time you’re in high school; don’t let anyone hold you down; be unique.”
