Kirkaldie Stays Involved At Culbertson High School

Student Profile

Culbertson High School senior James Kirkaldie is involved in many activities and feels fortunate that he receives positive support.

“I’m very happy that I go to school here,” Kirkaldie said. “It’s a great circle of a community around me.”

His school activities include FFA, National Honor Society, student council, band, football, cross country, basketball and track.

He serves as the chapter’s vice president for FFA. His favorite competitions have included mechanics and agronomy. He enjoys mechanics because of the handson aspect.

“It has taught me leadership skills,” Kirkaldie said of the program.

A highlight was attending the national convention held in Indianapolis during October.

“It was a really cool experience,” Kirkaldie said. “I meet a lot of people.”

He has been involved in band for six years. He plays the drums for the pep band during girls’ basketball games before dressing to play for the boys’ basketball team.

As far as sports, basketball is his favorite. “I like the intensity,” he said.

He earned All-State honors this past football season. He was an All-Conference at offensive end and defensive back. He was also picked to play in the Cleverley All-Star Game.

When his football schedule allowed, Kirkaldie ran in two cross-country meets this fall. He placed seventh at the Fairview Invitational.

During track season, Kirkaldie competed in the long jump, high jump and 1600. He placed sixth in the 1600 and eighth in the high jump at the district meet.

He says his favorite classes are government and industrial arts. “I like learning about the past of America,” Kirkaldie said of government class.

His favorite classes are Dave Solem and Logan Nickoloff.

After high school, Kirkaldie plans to attend Gallatin Technical College in Bozeman. He plans to study HVAC-R and electronics.