Difficult path leads to bitter-sweet conclusion

Eric Ogren was the only Northwestern High School boy to receive a letter in volleyball this year.

He worked as team manager for four years, so he's not embarrassed by the distinction, but honored.

He also received a letter in basketball without dribbling one ball on the court in a single game. Ogren managed the team for three years.

He spent much of his high school career in sports. Besides managing two teams, Ogren played golf and ran cross country and track.

His sports career at Northwestern is now finished; Ogren will graduate with 82 classmates Friday night.

Maranatha and Northwestern lead off the season of high school graduations in Northwestern Wisconsin. Maranatha graduates seven students at 7 p.m. Friday followed by Northwestern's ceremony at 8 p.m.

Like most graduates getting set to toss their caps during the next two weeks, Ogren will be missed at his alma mater. On buses to and from games, he would always listen to sports on the radio, said Charlie Hessel, volleyball head coach.

"He was always a lot of fun to have around, and we are going to miss him," Hessel said. "He was always enthusiastic. ... No matter what he decides to do, he'll be successful."

Girls on the volleyball team will miss his enthusiasm and support.

Sports hold some of Ogren's fondest memories of his years at Northwestern, but it wasn't sports that taught him some of the most important lessons.

"High school has taught me a lot about myself and how to help people," he said.

Ogren had a tough time in the transition from middle to high school. Freshman year, he struggled in his core classes and feared he would fail. He didn't ask for help from teachers when he had difficulties.

His fear was close to coming true when he almost failed a major project for an English class, and nearly flunked the class, during his freshman year. But finally, he sought help from his parents and teachers. He passed the class and progressed through his first years at Northwestern. Ogren found his voice between his freshman and sophomore years.

"I had to move out of my box, my comfort zone, and ask questions," he said.

Some of the best times at Northwestern, besides hanging out with friends, were passing those classes he thought were impossible, Ogren said. Learning to speak up made him a better person. He also learned the importance of being nice to others and helping them when they struggle.

Time at Northwestern has also taught him how to study and develop relationships with teachers and peers. These skills will be helpful as he moves on to study at the College of St. Scholastica in fall, Ogren said.

He's undecided about his field of study but is interested in library services, accounting and psychology. The varied interests come from his family's banking history and classes Ogren took at Northwestern.

A library services elective class during his junior year piqued Ogren's interest in library science. He'd always been interested in books, but his time helping in the library took that interest to the next level. A library has so many resources available, he said.

Ogren plans to pursue his sports interest at St. Scholastica, where he aims to become involved with the baseball team in a managerial sense and try out for soccer.

He's been saving for college since he was in the fourth grade. This summer, instead of spending time and money on one last trip, Ogren will work with his dad at his grandfather's bank, Security State Bank in Iron River.

He's excited about graduation but sad to leave friends behind at a time of transition for his high school. As the oldest of five kids, Ogren isn't bitter about graduating before the new school is built. His siblings are young enough to attend school with the full potentials of the new building.

"I'm looking forward to see what the future brings for them," he said.

His advice for future students and his younger siblings is advice he'll use as he makes the transition to college. Get involved with activities, open up to people and make relationships with teachers.

"Just be yourself, don't be afraid of the upperclassmen," he said. "Talk with teachers and make friends as early as possible."

The transition from middle school to high school isn't fun, but it's not as scary as it seems, he said.

"It's tough. I know -- I've gone through it," Ogren said. "If you can survive the first week -- you can survive it."

Anna Kurth covers education. Call her at (715) 395-5019 or e-mail akurth@superiortelegram.com .