Christian Kauth has his sights trained on becoming an optometrist. A job-shadowing experience at Iola Vision Source exposed the Iola High senior to to the wide-ranging field of optometry.
“There’s a lot you can do,” he said, ticking off cataract surgery, the ever-changing laser treatments, diagnosing eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other disorders.
Kauth will begin his college career at Washburn University this fall.
But on Sunday, he’ll soak in his last experience at Iola High School as he walks across the stage and accepts a medallion signifying him as one of eight IHS valedictorians.
“It’s been great,” Kauth said of his experience at IHS.
The best part? “My friends. My involvement with clubs and athletics.”
Kauth was born in Chanute and lived in Iola the better part of his life.
His dad, Mark, works at Century Midwest Office Systems in Chanute. His mother, Dianne, teaches math at Iola High.
He has a younger brother, Adam, a sophomore at IHS.
The decision to attend Washburn University came from a host of reasons.
“I like that it’s a smaller campus and easy to get around,” Kauth said. “I met a biology professor and she was really nice.”
Kauth will arrive on the Topeka campus a stranger, but judging from his experience at IHS, it won’t take long for others to warm up to the outgoing young man.
“I’ve always tried to enjoy life,” he said. “I suppose that’s made it easier to make friends. I try to be nice and to have fun.”
But don’t take him for a loafer.
“I learned early not to procrastinate in my studies,” he said. “It always catches up with you. I’ve also learned my motivation has to come from me.”
