Tracks to '26: Annual interviews with six HR students, now juniors

I interviewed Sophie Rodriguez of Odell, Diego Bustos and Jack Miller of Hood River and Jayden Evans of Cascade Locks at Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS) on Oct. 22, a few weeks earlier this year than the typical schedule. Jess Aubert of Parkdale had been out of state at a Future Farmers of America conference, so we spoke on Nov. 9 while he was helping at the ski swap event at Hood River Alliance Church. I was unable to schedule a time with Nicholas Tuttle of Hood River, and he responded in December by email. (The only other anomaly year was 2020, when I communicated remotely with all six students and most of the photos were provided due to the pandemic.)

A new dynamic this year is that most of the students have jobs. Jayden works in the kitchen at Thunder Island Brewing in Cascade Locks; Diego has the same type of job, at Solstice Pizza in Hood River. For Jess, it’s helping in the family orchard operation; Jack had worked at Andrew’s Pizza until it closed.

Sophie picks up hours helping bag coffee at Pacific Rim, whose owner, Brian Graves and family, are good friends — for both of us. Brian’s wife, Jennifer, is theater director at HRVHS.

In my years in Hood River, I also got to know the Graves family well, and Sophie and I laughed at some shared memories such as hanging out with Brian at his roastery, and Sophie’s recent one of Brian buying food for the HRVHS cast and crew.

Now that all six Tracksters are 17, they were asked if they were driving. Jayden has not yet acquired his license, and Jess has operated a tractor for years. All report no tickets — nor even being stopped.

This is a poignant milestone year: The next-to-last time for these annual interviews. I am beyond grateful that, through 12 years running, I have connected with all of the students each year.

This year was different in other ways; the interviewer always has made a point of keeping himself out of the dialog, but sometimes it happened and I would work in measured follow-up questions or interjections. In 2024, I let it flow a bit more, as I feel more comfortable with the reader’s awareness that not all Tracks to ‘26 interactions are just the students talking. There’s me asking follow-ups, and I saw less need than ever to hide the seams.

As I have come to know all six Tracksters over the years, they have opened up to me in ways that reflect their comfort — which, remarkably, has always been there. Sure, there was early and intermittent shyness, but all six have candidly taken to the Q&A since they started doing this in 2013 as kindergartners. That they are readily, and happily, responsive is also a mark of their maturity: They have more ideas and are each year better able to articulate often complex concepts. Seeing this happen is, of course, the basic purpose of this 13-year project.

Also, we frequently laugh together, and the shared humor has more of an adult-to-adult feel; in subtle ways I am seeing how I relate very differently to the Tracksters at age 16-17 than I did at age 11 or 7, and it’s a very satisfying part of the relationship.

So I will take this space to bring out a few elements of what Tracks to ‘26 has become: Less interview, more conversation.

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When Jayden Evans talked about his future travel plans, he offered to send me postcards; I don’t think he knew I am an inveterate collector and sender of postcards, so this offer of friendship was deeply appreciated.

When I asked Jess Aubert in October what he’s learned, the exchange went like this:

Jess: “In the past year, nothing new, a lot of little things, probably. Days just blend together.”

Kirby: “Is that a good thing?”

Jess: “It depends on how you look at it.”

Kirby: “How do you look at it?”

Jess: “It goes in one ear and out the other. I can’t remember what happened Friday.”

Like any conversation, some answers are shorter than others but that doesn’t diminish their meaning or importance.

When Jack Miller was asked what he thinks of the future, he replied, “This one stumps me every single time.”

I told him, “It’s supposed to Jack, it’s supposed to.”

Each student has, at times, been unable to answer a question or done so in simplest and sometimes vague terms. This is to be expected. However, with one or two minor exceptions, there has never been a time that any of them has been reticent or unwilling. Dyslexia, ADHD, gender transition, mental health challenges, and a parent’s death are all topics freely discussed and on the record.

This year, and in the past two or three, the Tracksters have opened up about sensitive parts of their lives but on just a handful of occasions asked that I not include those things. Nick Tuttle’s world was racked mid-year by the death of a close friend; he is processing that grief and it receives the mention it certainly deserves but no further questions. (I have always respected the Tracksters’ privacy; I also stress that none of those redacted things would get them or anyone else in trouble.)

There is a looseness, and yet a depth, to our interactions. Between us are moments kept private — not what you can call secrets, but small details reserved for confidantes as our conversations meandered or veered in ways that make me sad that our meetings in Fall 2025 will conclude “Tracks” as we know it.

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Kirby Neumann-Rea created Tracks to ‘26 in 2013, and each year interviews the same six students and asks the same questions, with some variation. In this way, Columbia Gorge News has followed the lives of these students we first met as kindergartners, who are now less than two years away from high school graduation. We invite you to rejoin their journey as we do have done for the past dozen Decembers.

Sophia Rodriguez

Sophia Rodriquez turned 17 on Nov. 22. Asked about hobbies, Sophia said, “I like to read. I’ve always wanted to read, and I now I enjoy it, just in the afternoon, reading. I really like tennis. I’ve liked it for a couple of years now.”

What’s a good thing that’s happened recently?

The musical [Something Rotten, HRVHS’ fall musical] is going to open Friday. Today we had dress rehearsals. I’m in the ensemble, I have a small song with three people. It’s a funny musical. We have a new director this year, she’s doing a wonderful job.”

What is something you have recently learned?

Getting up early gives me a better start of the day. An extra 30 minutes.

What’s a challenge for you?

Trying to get a good schedule for school: “This is when I do this, this is when I do homework, this is when I do chores around the house.” Trying to get a set schedule, just because things are changing. It’s difficult to get a good calendar. I try to use a Google calendar. I’m getting there, having time for everything. A lot of times I think, “I should have blocked time for this.” It’s a challenge but every day I feel like I get closer to having a set schedule.

What do you think you will do after you graduate?

I think I want to go to a four-year university, major in biology or something like that and then go to pre-med. I think I can do it, and I feel like I have the support I need to accomplish that.

What do you need to focus on most for this?

Really good study habits. It’s what I’m working on now, patterns of study, like when do I review which material, things like that.

What do you think about the future?

It seems like a long way away but it’s going to come up. I’m in the future from last year, I remember saying, “When I’m in high school,” you know? It’s not as far as we perceive it to be.

What other things do you think about?

I think a lot about the college application process, about how I’m going to do that. The SAT, a lot of school stuff. Right now my schedule is just focusing on school. And, really, cooking. Since my Mom, died I’m doing it a lot more but I like it, it’s not a chore because it’s for my Dad. I make a lot of tortas and frijoles.

Jayden Evans

Jayden Evans turned 17 on Dec. 12. He started working last summer at Thunder Island Brewery in kitchen support, busing tables, stocking and running food. He is not driving yet but “working on it.” As to hobbies, “I would say playing guitar but I wouldn’t say it’s a new hobby,” he said. “I’ve been playing it for awhile and I had just stopped for awhile.”

What’s a good thing to happen today or recently?

I just got out of a club I’m involved in. We’re recruiting new members, and next week we have a half-day training. It’s called Source of Strength. It’s focused on mental health and suicide awareness. I got involved last year when it first started. I decided to join because I’d never been involved in a club before and I thought it would be a cool thing to try.

What’s something you’ve learned recently?

I’m currently learning a song on guitar, “Too Sweet” by Hozier. His vocals are insane. Jealous. I’ve tried singing and I’m not very impressed with myself. I did do Karaoke at the homecoming dance, a bunch of people just sitting there … they had a karaoke room and me and my friends just hung out in there for a bit.

What’s a challenge for you?

I have recently been struggling with my school work and work work, because it’s a new thing for me this year. I have been getting a little behind on my homework. I’ve been getting home late because I work only closing shifts because I work after school. I’ve been a little more tired than usual and behind on school work but I’m starting to manage it. I’m getting my hours worked out so I have a little more consistent schedule so I have time to study and to hang out with my friends.

What do you think you will do after you graduate?

I want to take a couple of years off and renovate a van and visit every single state. Start nearby and visit every national park. I really want to visit Montana and all the mountains. I might take a year off after school and get my money together and get my bearings and then start working on the trip.

What do you think about the future?

Right now I feel like it’s looking good. I have quite a few plans for what I want to do, so it’s good.

What are other things you think about?

Right now, I’ve been trying to plan for college for after I get out so I have it all figured out and I don’t have to stress about it on my trip. I don’t have a specific college in mind yet but I know I want to get into psychology, specifically children’s psychology. The fact that I’ve struggled with my own mental health, but I’ve always been interested in psychology, how the brain works and things like that. It’s … I don’t want to say “weird” to me, but it’s really weird and interesting to me, how the brain can work and function. I’m learning about lesser-known mental illnesses and it’s fascinating to me. I know how it feels to not have much access to support. I want to try and give support to kids who need it. I want to get involved in Child Protective Services and social work because that definitely needs some work ... I’m getting support now, I’m currently in therapy, I’m on medication, and feel like I’m getting the support I need.

Jack Miller

Jack Miller turned 17 on Oct. 27. He had a job at Andrew’s Pizza until it closed, “and with football it was hard to find a job so I’ll wait until after football.” As hobbies, he said, “Not really, just working out, hanging out with friends, focusing on football.

“I like to fish when it’s nice and sunny out and not blowing wind — and lifting with friends. I take a [weights] class [at HRVHS] and go to the Sports Club.”

What’s a good thing that’s happened to you recently?

We won our football game on Friday. (The Eagles were 6-1 at the time; Jack had sprained his UCL but was able to play.)

What’s something you’ve learned recently?

I learned some things in math.

What’s a challenge for you?

Staying on top of my school work. My homework, just making time to do it until it’s done, not procrastinating until it’s too late. I just don’t let myself do anything with anyone until my work is done. It’s hard. A lot of times I just want to go hang out with people.

Have you made progress in that way?

It’s definitely a lot better. There’s days where I just don’t want to do it and I can still do a little bit instead of doing none at all.

What do you think you will do after you graduate?

The best-case scenario, would be sports somewhere, football or track, but we’ll see how that turns out, and if that doesn’t work out, then probably trade school somewhere. The javelin is my main, and the other throws: Shot and discus.

What other things do you think about?

I have ADHD so my brain’s kind of thinking about everything, but mainly just what’s next, kind of like next week, next month, next year — trying to figure out possibilities of what will happen. I don’t know. It’s hard to explain.

Diego Bustos

Diego Bustos turns 17 on March 7. He started work last summer as a dishwasher at Solstice Wood Fired Pizza.

What’s a good thing to happen today?

I hung out with my girlfriend, played Roblox [a video game]. Dress to Impress.

(I ask if she was impressed; he replies, “So impressed,” and we both laugh.)

It’s like a fashion game. We put on clothes on the characters in a theme … and they rate you, like everyone, because there’s a bunch of people that put different costumes on. It’s online and you choose what they put on.

What is something you learned recently?

Lots of history, about the British and the colonies, and the Constitution. So much … how much history there is, why we’re learning so much. The Boston Massacre. Like, they killed them and they always tried to justify whatever they do.

What’s a challenge for you?

School. Physics and history. I have to do a retake (test) and I’ll have an A. Because I can get 100% on it. It’s one question, FRQ (Free Response Question.)

What do you think you will do after you graduate?

I want to work on cars and be an automotive engineer.

How will you prepare?

By taking physics and math classes, and going to college. Mechanics don’t get paid much, and I want to be rich.

What do you think about the future?

It’s exciting. Because I want to be rich.

What other things do you think about?

To work on cars. Fast cars.

Jess Aubert

Jess Aubert turned 17 on Oct. 14. Having grown up on a farm, he’s been driving “since I was a kid.”

He said, “It’s fun. It’s fun when I just get to go up behind Bald Butte and go camping. Forest roads, back roads, it’s fun. I’d much rather be outside than sitting inside.”

What’s a good think that’s happened recently?

I got an elk tag. It’s from past The Dalles to Surveyors Ridge. I’ll try to get a bull. It’s been raining a little so everything’s been moving around.

What will you do to get ready?

Just go out and walk around. I go with my dad, sometimes my brother, Gage, but he doesn’t always stay quiet.

What have you learned recently?

He turns to his friend, Wyatt, and asks, “What have I learned recently?” Wyatt replies, “that you’re afraid of heights,” referring to their recent hike on Mt. Defiance.

Jess: “I wasn‘t afraid, my leg was just shaking when I was up there.” (He is being teased as friends will do.)

“I call that afraid,” Wyatt said. “I wasn’t,” Jess replies.

“Actually, I found out I’m kind of decent with a forge, in metals at school. I first used it a year-ish ago. It’s fun. I didn’t really have a lot of time last year, just stations, you have two weeks at one station and you switch off. I’m making steak flippers out of railroad spikes. The tip is the handle, and you measure out how big your hand is and then center punch it and then draw it out: Heat it up and elongate it — a lot. You still have a thick end, that’s the handle. No welding, just one piece of metal. I made one for my Dad and it was left-handed and he’s right-handed. And now my teacher wants one so I’m making him one.”

What’s a challenge for you?

Waking up. I like to sleep.

Waking up or getting up?

Getting up. (He reads the interviewer’s expression and laughs at the humor of a farm kid who has trouble getting up early.)

Yeah, that’s the challenging part. I have to get up at 6:30 so I set it at 5:45. I’ve been threatened to have water dumped on me and beds ripped out and blankets ripped off me.

What do you want to do after you graduate?

Welding, metal works. It’s basically the only reason I go to school. I go because I’m forced to and my friends are there. I just go because of metals. I just try my best, kinda.

I’ve gotten decently good at welding. I’m planning to go to a trade school. I’m not sure which one. I really like working with my hands. I don’t like sitting at a desk. I could be outside working at something. I like working, but I’m just sitting at a desk learning stuff I’ll never use again.”

What do you think of the future?

It’s coming up too fast. I feel like time goes by really fast now. It’s kind of like a day goes by very fast.

Nick Tuttle

Nick Tuttle is the oldest of the Tracksters; he turned 17 on Sept. 19. He said in December, “I don’t have any new hobbies, just trying to focus on healing and getting my school work done. I’m not working, just focusing on school and sports right now.”

What is a good thing that has happened to you recently?

My football team finished second in our division and we made it to the playoffs this fall. I played both offense and defense all season long. I’m really looking forward to next year as a senior.

What is something you have learned today, or recently?

I have learned to be resilient through several sports injuries but most of all from losing my best friend.

What is a challenge for you these days?

Lots of things … losing my best friend in January [2024]has made this year long and hard!

What are your plans for after you graduate?

I am thinking about going to a trade school but don’t know for sure.

What do you think about the future?

It’s hard to think about that. Next year is my senior year already and lots of things will be changing.

Are there other things you think about?

My family and friends are really important to me. They have really been there for me!