FHS grad double-major aims for career as an archivist

By Barbie Porter

Editor

Education was always a priority in Jenna Holmer’s life. When the 2018 Frazee High School graduate made the Dean’s List and earned a certificate of National Society of Leadership and Success, she reached two milestones in her young adult life.

Earning the Dean’s List accolade at Minnesota State University-Moorhead requires 12 credits be taken and a grade point average of 3.25 or higher be maintained. The high GPA resulted in Holmer being nominated for the National Society of Leadership and Success. 

The group that traditionally meets in person, but was forced to attend sessions on how to become a successful leader online, due to COVID-19. 

“One of the most important things I learned was that it is OK to be scared of failure,” she said. “But, I also learned that fear shouldn’t stop me from succeeding.”

After attending the required meetings, the honorary members were inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success with a ceremony that included receiving a certificate of achievement.

Holmer said there may be more classes available for advanced certificates, and she enjoyed the experience enough to look further into the option.

Holmer is a double major student, focusing  on a degree in history and English.  What does one do with a double major in history and English? 

“I hope to work as an archivists,” Holmer said. “I want to work with historical documents and artifacts, and preserve them. To do that I would also need to get my master’s in library science. I plan to go for that after I finish my bachelor’s. I should graduate next year in the fall or spring.”

In addition to gaining knowledge in the field through class instruction, Holmer has gained experience by working at the campus museum. 

“My dream job would be a curator at any museum,” she said.

As Holmer takes steps to make her dreams a reality, she thanked her mentors, from her parents Kristal Taylor and Mark Holmer, to former teachers.  

“I hope to work as an archivists. I want to work with historical documents and artifacts, and preserve them. To do that I would also need to get my master’s in library science. I plan to go for that after I finish my bachelor’s. I should graduate next year in the fall or spring.”

Jenna Holmer

“Mrs. Blickenstaff taught my English class, and she wasn’t just a mentor with education, but she was a very caring person,” Holmer recalled. “She wanted her students to learn and to be interested in learning.”

That interest to learn as much as possible allowed Homer to enter college with enough credits to start as a sophomore.

“Taking college courses while in high school gave me a head start; it was an easier transition because I knew what to expect in a college setting,” she said, adding the online classes also inadvertency prepared her for online college when COVID-19 changed the learning model.

“Now we are split with two classes online and two on campus,” she said. “It is easier to learn in the classroom, but I am managing.”

When the big transition from teen to young adult happened, Holmer said the most challenging aspect was moving into a dorm and away from family and friends. But, within weeks new friends were made. Meeting people from many backgrounds helped Holmer spread her wings and gave her a stronger sense of self. That doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a learning curve. Holmer said, if she could recommend her high school consider adding any class that it would be life skills.

“Like how to apply for loans or do taxes,” she said. “Things like that.”