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Preston Hill

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Finalist

Bio

My name is Preston Hill, and I’m a senior at Burns High School. Over the past four years, I’ve pushed myself both in the classroom and in sports while working toward my goal of becoming a journeyman lineman. I’ve taken AP classes every year and have maintained a 4.0 GPA, which shows how important hard work and staying focused are to me. I’ve played varsity football all four years of high school, and in 2024 our team won the 3A State Championship. I’ve also wrestled for four years and was part of the 3A Team State Championship in 2025. Being part of these teams taught me a lot about leadership, staying tough during challenges, and always putting the team first. Outside of school and sports, I’ve been a member of National Honor Society for three years. I worked full-time as a summer intern in 2024 and 2025, where I gained real-world experience and learned the value of showing up every day ready to work. I’ve also secured a fire suppression job for the summer of 2026, which will help me continue building hands-on skills and giving back to my community. In the fall of 2026, I plan to attend Prime Line Academy to earn my Electrical Lineworker Program Certificate and start my career in the electrical line industry. After that, I plan to complete an apprenticeship to earn my journeyman lineman certification. I’m motivated, hardworking, and ready to take the next step toward my career goals.

Education

Burns High School

High School
2022 - 2026

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Trade School

  • Majors of interest:

    • Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Utilities

    • Dream career goals:

      To attain my Journeyman Lineman Certificate

    • Summer Farm Hand

      Wright Farms - Private
      2023 – 2023
    • Summer Intern

      High Desert Partnership
      2024 – 2024
    • Summer Intern

      High Desert Partnership
      2025 – 2025

    Sports

    Wrestling

    Varsity
    2022 – 20264 years

    Football

    Varsity
    2022 – 20253 years

    Research

    • Botany/Plant Biology

      High Desert Partnership — Summer Intern
      2025 – 2025
    • Botany/Plant Biology

      High Desert Partnership — Summer Intern
      2024 – 2024
    Russell Koci Skilled Trade Scholarship
    I am planning to study to become a lineman because it is a skilled trade that matches both my abilities and the values I was raised with. Growing up in a rural farming community taught me how to work with my hands, solve problems in practical ways, and stay committed even when conditions are tough. I have always respected careers that require physical effort, technical knowledge, and teamwork, and the lineman trade represents all of those qualities. The work is demanding, but it is also meaningful because it keeps communities powered and functioning. That sense of responsibility and purpose is one of the main reasons I am drawn to this field. I plan to pursue a career as a lineman because it offers long term stability, strong earning potential, and the opportunity to constantly grow in skill and experience. The apprenticeship pathway especially appeals to me because it allows me to learn directly from experienced professionals while earning my way through the trade. Starting as an apprentice and working toward becoming a journeyman, and eventually mastering the craft gives me a clear structure for advancement. I am motivated by the idea of earning each step through hard work, dedication, and proven ability. I also appreciate that being a lineman requires trust within a crew. Everyone must rely on one another to complete jobs safely and efficiently, and I value being part of a team where each person plays an important role. I believe I will be successful in this trade because of the work ethic and discipline I have already developed. Working on a farm for several years taught me that responsibilities do not wait for perfect conditions. Animals still need care, equipment still needs maintenance, and tasks must be completed whether it is hot, cold, or exhausting. My experience in rangeland monitoring further strengthened my attention to detail and commitment to safety. Hiking miles in extreme heat while taking precise measurements and completing accurate surveys required focus, patience, and accountability. These are the same qualities needed to work safely around power lines and heavy equipment. To me, a successful life means more than just earning a paycheck. It means building a career I can take pride in, providing stability for my future family, and being someone others respect and depend on. Success is about integrity, hard work, and continuous improvement. I want to look back on my career knowing that I earned my position through effort and perseverance. With my background, determination, and willingness to learn, I am confident that I will not only succeed as a lineman but also build a stable, meaningful, and honorable life.
    John Geremia Memorial Industrial Trades Scholarship
    My name is Preston Hill, and I grew up in a rural farming community and my plans after I graduate high school is to attend lineman school. I have been accepted to Prime Line Academy. Prime Line Academy is a Union School as well. Being a lineman requires teamwork, communication, and strong decision-making skills, especially when safety is involved. I experienced this firsthand while working in rangeland monitoring, where I eventually became a leader among my coworkers. Our job involved filling out detailed environmental surveys, taking precise measurements, and hiking several miles each day in extreme heat to collect accurate data. The work was physically demanding and required constant focus to ensure that all safety precautions were followed. When I first started, I focused on learning the correct procedures for taking measurements and properly completing survey documentation. Accuracy was critical because small mistakes could affect the accuracy of the data. Over time, I became confident in my skills and began helping newer crew members understand the process. I took initiative by double checking measurements, reviewing completed surveys before submission, and making sure everyone had the proper equipment and enough water before heading out into the field. There were days when morale was low due to the long hikes and high temperatures. I realized that leadership was not just about completing the work correctly but also about setting the tone for the team. I made it a point to stay positive, encourage others, and lead by example by maintaining a steady pace and following every safety precaution. When someone was unsure about a measurement or procedure, I took the time to explain it rather than rushing ahead. The outcome was a more efficient and confident team. Our surveys were consistently accurate, and we completed projects safely without incidents. This experience taught me that leadership comes from consistency, accountability, and respect, not from authority alone. As I pursue a career as a lineman, I understand that safety and teamwork are critical. I plan to carry forward the same attention to detail, initiative, and commitment to my crew to ensure that every job gets done safely and effectively.
    Kris Lewis Memorial Scholarship
    Growing up in a rural farming community has had a lasting and meaningful impact on my life. The environment I was raised in shaped not only my daily habits, but also my character, values, and long term goals. In a small agricultural community, life revolves around hard work, responsibility, and supporting one another. These values were not just taught to me they were modeled every day by the people around me. Working on a farm for several years played a major role in shaping who I am today. Farming is not an easy job. It requires early mornings, long hours, and the ability to work in all kinds of weather conditions. There were days when the work felt exhausting, but I learned that responsibilities do not disappear just because something is difficult. Animals still need to be fed, crops still need to be tended, and equipment still needs to be maintained. Through these experiences, I developed a strong work ethic and learned the importance of discipline and consistency. I realized that success often comes from steady effort over time rather than quick results. In addition to building my work ethic, my community also taught me the value of teamwork and trust. In a rural farming area, neighbors often rely on one another during busy seasons like planting and harvest. People step in to help without being asked because they understand that everyone depends on each other. Growing up in this type of environment showed me the importance of being dependable and contributing to something larger than myself. It taught me that individual success is often connected to the strength of the community. Another important lesson I gained from my upbringing is resilience. Farming comes with uncertainty weather changes, equipment breaks down, and markets fluctuate. Despite these challenges, the people in my community continue to adapt and push forward. Watching this resilience firsthand inspired me to approach my own challenges with determination rather than discouragement. I learned to problem solve, stay patient, and remain committed even when outcomes are uncertain. Because of the values instilled in me through my rural upbringing hard work, perseverance, responsibility, and cooperation. I feel motivated to set high goals for my future. Whether I choose to continue working in agriculture or pursue a different career path, the lessons I learned on the farm will stay with me. I aim to carry the same level of dedication and integrity into whatever field I enter. My community shaped me into someone who understands the importance of effort and accountability, and that foundation will continue to guide me as I work toward achieving my long term goals.