Student Spotlight: Emma Burns
This post is part of the new Sunday Student Spotlight column. Every Sunday, Denobis features a student at Tri-City who’s doing interesting things.
By Amanda Bertsch
Emma Burns is a TCP sophomore.
What do you do with your free time?
EB: I hike with my dogs and hang out at Yavapai College.
You’re getting your associate’s degree. Why?
EB: I think it would be easiest to get that part of college out of the way now so I can hit the ground running once I graduate. And if I’m going to take the classes for fun anyway, I might as well put them toward a degree.
What’s the best class you’ve ever taken at YC?
EB: Over the summer I took a stress management course, and it really changed the way I look at life… it just made me realize that there’s a whole lot more to it than what I once thought, which was pretty neat.
Emma’s dog Val
Do you have any advice for students considering an associate’s degree in high school?
EB: There’s a ton of classes that work with the degree requirements, so try and only choose the ones that you’re really interested in, otherwise it’ll seem draining! And definitely don’t be afraid to change your major.
What are you thinking of doing after high school?
EB: I think it would be really fun to work on campaigns or be involved in government in some way. I’ve also always wanted to be a national park ranger, so that could be cool.
Speaking of campaigns, you interned with the Yavapai Democrats. Can you tell us about that?
Emma’s dog Benny
EB: Around August I wanted to get involved with the election, so I asked the coordinated campaign (the Yavapai Dems) if they needed any help, and they hooked me up with an internship! From there we got to talk to and register voters around town and get information for the polls! It was really good to get to be around like-minded, passionate people like that, and it really made me realize that’s what I want to do with my life.
Looking forward, how do you plan to be involved with activism?
EB: I want to really get involved with local government and help influence change right here in Prescott, and looking forward I hope to be involved with the 2018 midterm elections.
Interviews have been edited lightly for clarity.
