Hank Werronen
What was high school like back then?
Hank Werronen had a class of about 45 students, no open enrollment students, all students walked to school and walked home for lunch, very few students came and went from the school, and the classes were smaller but the building was the same size.
If there were one thing you could change about your high school, what would it be?
More programs for gifted students. Hank was very smart in math but couldn't advance. He had one teacher that offered a special program for gifted students. Mrs. Hill made a special advanced physics program for smarter students.
What were your academic strengths?
He got straight A’s in all subjects and maintained a 4.0 GPA. He was very strong at math. He loved to read and write thanks to his amazing English teacher Mrs. West.
What were your weaknesses?
He was very shy when meeting new students. There was also no language program for them to learn.
What were your favorite subjects and why?
His favorite subject was math because it made sense to him and understood it easily. He also liked English especially when he was given the opportunity to free write.
Which sports were your favorite in high school?
In high school, he played basketball, track, and football. He was good at basketball, he was 6’ 3” tallest on the team and his junior year his team won the championship game. He was also was great at a track, he ran 100 and 220-meter dash and threw discus. He placed 4th place in 220-meter dash at states. He got third in states for discus, his first 3 throws he fouled and on his last through the through 10 feet farther than he has ever thrown before.
What were your favorite hobbies in high school?
He loved to read lots of books because it expanded his vocabulary.
Are you still in touch with any friends from high school?
He said his class has a reunion every 5 years since he had graduated. His friend he is still in touch with is Andrew Markus who lives in Colorado and he played basketball and football with him.
Did you go to college if so, where?
He attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
What was your college major?
Electrical engineer, and skilled in management and got his MBA there.
What is your number one piece of advice you would give to a student?
Read and write a lot.
This interview was completed by Nathan Urban. Nathan is a freshman at Harding High School He participates on the track and field team and his favorite events are the high jump and the pole vault. This year he pole vaulted 8'6" and high jumped 5'4".