Just show up. And do the work.
Thats Isaiah Wicoffs recipe for success. As one of Iola High Schools valedictorians for the Class of 2018, Wicoff said its never been difficult for him to maintain good grades.
Sure, calculus was a little difficult. But he admits that was mostly his fault. Sometimes he waited until the last minute to do his homework, and it was one of his last classes of the day. When the hour finally rolled around, he felt sleepy.
College courses were a little challenging, too, but nothing he couldnt handle.
Its not that hard to get As. I didnt have to work that much harder, he said. You just have to do the work. And turn things in.
When Wicoff sees students struggle with grades, hes surprised to learn those students often do the assignments, they just forget to turn them in. He also sees his fellow classmates fail because they dont show up for classes or because they use drugs.
He understands teenagers sometimes make poor choices, especially when they dont have anything else to do. He hopes his classmates look at him as a positive influence, but he wont spend time with friends who are using drugs.
I do other things I find more interesting. I can have fun without them [drugs], he said.
In addition to his schoolwork, Wicoff is devoted to the schools agriculture program and FFA. His grandparents have a farm, and agricultural activities have always appealed to him.
Hes also been involved with student council, band, Players drama club, forensics and Scholars Bowl.
He plans to attend Kansas State University to study mechanical engineering. He hopes to work in automotive technology.
He is the son of Joel and Lisa Wicoff. He has two brothers and one sister. Clara is a sophomore at K-State, Henry is a freshman and Luke is in seventh grade.
Academic success is a family tradition, Wicoff said. His sister Clara also was a valedictorian of her class.
Wicoff maintains a practical approach to his education. The better you do in school, the more likely youll earn scholarships, be accepted into college and set yourself up for future success.
You have so much free time to do the things you want, Wicoff said. Its not that much to invest a little bit of your free time to secure a better opportunity.
