ACES High School senior Justin Caldwell also takes classes at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center, where he is accumulating Edmonds Community College credits. He wants to pursue studies in computer security and forensics.

ACES High School senior Justin Caldwell also takes classes at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center, where he is accumulating Edmonds Community College credits. He wants to pursue studies in computer security and forensics.

ACES senior finds a niche at Sno-Isle TECH center

EVERETT — Justin Caldwell attends ACES High School in the morning and Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center in the afternoon. The 17-year-old is in the center’s Computers, Servers and Networking program, where he is racking up credits at Edmonds Community College. He considered dropping out of school his sophomore year, but Justin found the right fit at Sno-Isle. His teacher said Justin’s hard work, determination and ability to learn from his own mistakes kept him in school. He is a joy, she said.

Question: Why did you choose Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center?

Answer: I guess because of my interest in computers. They offer something more and higher level classes, and I get college credits. I was looking for something else.

Q: What program are you in and why that choice?

A: Computers, Servers, Networking. We deal with IT (information technology). It’s not programming. It’s problem-solving with computers. I like the atmosphere in this class. They offer certifications in this class.

Q: It sounds like you’ve become a better student since you first started. What changed for you and why?

A: I started at Mariner High School. I had trouble with the transition from the eighth grade to freshman year. I was pretty unmotivated. I went to ACES my sophomore year and didn’t earn many credits. As soon as I hit my junior year I came here. It was like motivation. I came here with five credits. By the end of the semester I’ll have 22.5 credits or more. It’s really fun and engaging here.

Q: Did you consider not finishing school?

A: Yes, my sophomore year. My parents were adamantly against it. I’d earned like 3-1/2 credits. I felt like I was at a dead-end. I changed my mind. I think it was a combination of growing up and having a little more responsibility. You realize when you get closer to graduation it’s real. I couldn’t see that as much freshman year.

Q: What kind of certifications have you earned since starting Sno-Isle?

A: I’m Pro PC certified. I have certification in Microsoft operating systems and fundamentals in Windows 7. I have network fundamentals, security fundamentals and Windows server 2012. I’m looking at another two and studying for A++ certification.

Q: How did you spend last summer?

A: I was here last summer seven to eight hours a day for three weeks. We were the on site technicians for summer school. We solved all of our own problems, and a lot of it was helping teachers. None of it was really challenging.

Q: Why do you choose to mentor first-year students?

A: It’s required of second-year students. We mentor students. We study and take certification tests. As our third job we do tech support around the school.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

A: I’ve applied at Edmonds Community College. I already have 15 credits. I’m trying to go into computer security and forensics.

Q: How old were you when you first discovered computers?

A: I didn’t have a lot of electronics until I was 10. I pretty much read. I got my first computer at 13 to do online school. It was just a laptop. I would try to do games on the laptop and try to maximize the performance. I built my first computer my sophomore year. I still have that computer.

Q: Do you still enjoy reading?

A: Yes. Admittedly, I read less. I have work and school and social stuff. I work at McDonald’s.

Q: What’s your grade point average?

A: 3.1. It was like .027 my freshman year. I have been on the honor roll at this school for the three semesters I’ve been here.

Q: What do you do when you’re not on a computer?

A: I work, and lately I like to go camping, now that I have a car.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

The Washington State University Snohomish County Extension building at McCollum Park is located in an area Snohomish County is considering for the location of the Farm and Food Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Year-round indoor farmers market inches closer to reality near Mill Creek

The Snohomish County Farm and Food Center received $5 million in federal funding. The county hopes to begin building in 2026.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.