SENIOR SPOTLIGHT - CCHS KADEN SOUDER

Deciding on a career can be one of the hardest decisions to make, but for some, something just “clicks.” For Clay City senior Kaden Souder, this was aviation.

“I chose aviation because flying has been one of my passions since I was a child. When I fly, it gives me a sense of freedom and independence unlike anything I have ever felt.”

After high school, Kaden plans to attend Purdue University to study aviation and later become a commercial pilot.

At Clay City, Souder is involved in SADD, robotics club, Spanish club, and Cob and Cog. He is also a member of the basketball and track teams.

As part of his senior class schedule, Kaden interns at Codee Souder Farms, his brother's farm.

“I have helped on the farm since I was like eight, so when I only needed to take three classes this year and I found out about internship, I knew that's what I was going to do.”

Kaden explains that he has learned many different skills from working on his brother's farm.

“I have learned so much on the farm. I've learned things as little as changing tires to driving half-a-million-dollar tractors every day.”

Souder's role models in life are his parents.

“The role models I look up to the most are definitely my parents because they have an amazing work ethic, and they have worked extremely hard for everything that we have ever had.”

Kaden states that his proudest accomplishment has been recovering from an injury during his senior basketball season.

“I broke my leg about two weeks before our first game, so I thought that my entire season was over.”

Souder explains that through physical therapy, he has been working tirelessly to recover.

“I was able to practice with some restrictions about a week before senior night, which I played in for a short time.”

The Clay City boys basketball team then went on to win sectionals, which Kaden names as one of his favorite memories of high school.

“Although I didn't play in the sectional, it was really cool to be a part of the team by going to practice and helping them warm up before each game.”