By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
Natasha Shaffer, a senior at Beaufort County Ed Tech Center, has always enjoyed school, but she has reason to be even more excited about it lately.
An accomplished musician, Shaffer is one of several students who are members of the school’s first-ever performance band. Joining them in the venture are Willard Bryant, the school’s principal, and Deputy Michael Harris, the school’s resource officer.
“I’m glad we have this extracurricular activity going on that has to do with music,” Shaffer said. “I play piano and I play flute mostly. I’m learning to play bass with the band and I’ll be singing.”
The band is giving the 17-year-old Shaffer a chance to polish her musical skills. She has been singing since she was a toddler and playing the piano for almost as long.
Shaffer was the first student to audition for the school’s band, which plays a wide variety of music, including classical, contemporary and gospel.
In addition to the band, Beaufort County Ed Tech has a lot to offer its students, said Shaffer, who is in her second year at the school.
“The school has grown tremendously this year. The best thing about this school is that it gives people a second chance,” she said. “The Pathways program here helps you graduate and gives you the chance to get your diploma and do something with your life instead of just dropping out.”
Shaffer attended school in Tennessee before her family moved to the Chocowinity area, and a problem with her transcripts meant she would have to be held back a year in Beaufort County. But Ed Tech’s program is insuring that she’ll graduate on time in June 2010.
“You can’t do too much without that diploma,” she said.
When her classwork isn’t keeping her busy, Shaffer is an assistant of sorts to some of the teachers.
“I’ve been told I should be a teacher, but I’d rather be a veterinarian or a pediatrician,” Shaffer said, adding that she enjoys spending time with animals and young children.
“I’ve worked with animals since I was really young. We pretty much had a farm in Tennessee with dogs, cats and emus. There’s something about animals that I absolutely love, and they seem to take to me,” Shaffer said. “And since I was younger I’ve helped with the kids who were close to where I lived. I enjoy playing with kids and apparently they like playing with me. I helped with the nursery at my church in Tennessee.”
After she completes high school, Shaffer hopes to attend Beaufort County Community College as a student in the two-year, college-transfer program.
“I’d then like to go on to East Carolina University or North Carolina State University, depending on what I go for, either being a veterinarian or a pediatrician,” she said.
The daughter of Dorothy Golden of Chocowinity, Shaffer enjoys reading, playing music and being a “basic, average teenager.”
But Toni Woolard, career and technical education teacher at Ed Tech, describes Shaffer in a different way.
“Natasha is an extraordinary young woman,” Woolard said. “I have seen many examples of her talent and have been impressed by her diligence and work ethic. She has acquired an overall average of 98.4 in all the courses she has completed in the area of career and technical education. Her above-average performance is a direct result of her hard work and strong focus. She has consistently demonstrated an ability to rise to any challenge that she must face.”
All about Natasha Shaffer …
Grade and school: senior, Beaufort County Ed Tech Center.
Birthday: Aug. 12.
Favorite subject. Math.
Favorite book: “I read a lot of books, but right now it would be ‘Duma Key’ by Stephen King.”
Favorite movie: “Titanic.”
Favorite TV show: “House.”
If she could spend one day with anyone in history, it would be: “Thomas Jefferson. We’re learning about the Constitution right now in civics, and I’d like to see how they came up with the idea of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.”
Favorite food: pizza.
Favorite entertainer: Bernie Mac.
Dream vacation: “China. I love the American version of Chinese food and I’d like to try the authentic type of Chinese cuisine.”
Secret wish: “I would like to be able to play the piano so much better than I do. Jerry Lee Lewis is my distant cousin and I’d like to be able to play piano like him.”