Fairbanks and Tolles senior Emma Greve was recently recognized by both schools for her accomplishments as a student in both agriculture-related studies and veterinary medicine. Greve serves as a pre-veterinary technician intern and has certificates in both human and pet First Aid and CPR through Tolles Career and Technical Center. Also pictured are Fairbanks Vo-Ag teacher and FFA advisor Rob Riddle and Tolles Pre-Vet Tech instructor and HOSA-Future Health Professionals advisor Pam Snider.
(Photo submitted)
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A Fairbanks senior at Tolles Career and Technical Center is one step closer to entering the career field she loves.
Thanks to that work, when Emma Greve graduates from Fairbanks High School this spring, she’ll have much more than a diploma.
She’ll have real world experience caring for animals as a pre-veterinary technician intern, and certificates in both human and pet First Aid and CPR through Tolles Career and Technical Center.
She’ll also have an FFA state degree, a first place finish in a HOSA-Future Health Professionals clinical laboratory animal health competition, and years of equine judging experience under her belt.
“I want to study Equine Business Management and Agricultural Business,” said Greve, who started her own custom animal care business three years ago, watching pets and taking care of farm animals. “Eventually I want to have my own equine breeding and training farm.”
Pam Snider, Pre-Veterinary Technician instructor at Tolles, said she has no doubt Greve will be successful.
“She, as a person, will really go far in our industry because she’s able to not just do those performance skills in the lab, but she’s got that personality and positive attitude which will help her in this field,” Snider said. “She is currently president of our HOSA chapter at Tolles. She has competed in veterinary science contests and made it to states both years. She made it to the Nashville international leadership conference and was selected to serve as a HOSA delegate for Ohio. She’s in the National Technical Honor Society, which is the equivalent to National Honor Society, but for students in career education. She’s an ambassador for Tolles. She brings a lot of energy, is always smiling, hardworking and a team player. She is probably one of the happiest people I know.”
Rob Riddle, agriculture education instructor and FFA advisor at Fairbanks High School, also sings Greve’s praises.
“She’s a great leader,” Riddle said, noting Greve was an FFA officer last school year and is an assistant officer this year. “She’s very organized. She keeps me on my toes.”
Greve, whose FFA project included writing a business plan for her future equine facility, has a wide range of experience with horses.
“My horse trainer had an unbroken filly and I worked with her and got her to the point where I could ride her,” Greve said. “That was such a rewarding experience.”
She’s also been riding and showing horses for about six years and works part-time at an equestrian farm in Plain City.
“I help teach kids how to ride, clean tack, clean stalls – and I do fun crafts with them like make horse treats or horseshoe picture frames,” she said.
“Emma is a great example of how hard work, passion, and commitment can open doors across our school community,” said Adham Schirg, Superintendent of Fairbanks Local Schools. “She has been a tremendously successful student and person at both Tolles and Fairbanks.”
“She’s just a hardworking student who has drive,” Riddle said.
“She’s very independent and dependable,” Snider added. “If you give her a task, she’s going to plan it and see it through to the end. She’ll get the job done.”
This semester, Greve is interning at Oakside Animal Clinic in Delaware where she can apply much of what she’s learned in Tolles’ Pre-Vet Tech Program.
“She’s very much into horses and they have a multi-disciplinary practice at Oakside,” Snider said. “She’ll also get the opportunity to actually work and interact with the parents of the patients. In the lab, we don’t get that opportunity.”
“Tolles definitely helped me,” Greve said of her two years at the school. “The atmosphere there is very positive and they do a great job of guiding you and being very supportive. Through the program, I was able to gain insight on animals, in general, and their health. I also learned leadership skills that definitely helped me get into Wilmington.”
“Emma saw the opportunity to jumpstart her future while still in high school,” said Tolles Superintendent Todd Hoadley. “Now, with that hands-on experience under her belt, she is on a pathway to college and a promising future in a field she loves. I applaud that.”
“We are extremely proud of all of her accomplishments,” Schirg added. “We cannot wait to see what she does next.”