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Goshen High School senior Nicholas McQuagge has a passion for mechatronics and is already pursuing a degree in the area.

McQuagge not only takes part currently in the Mechatronics Academy but also competed in the job interview section for Skills USA, taking a state-runner up finish this year. Previously, McQuagge was also a tumbler at Xtreme Athletics for a number of years and is active in E-Sports.

While McQuagge was nominated for an E-Sports scholarship from Huntingdon College, he will instead pursue his mechatronics degree at the University of Tennessee of Chattanooga, where he plans to get his degree in two years. McQuagge is also currently employed at Kimber Manufacturing in Troy as a CNC Operator.

McQuagge said that he one day wants to teach mechatronics at the college level and expressed how important STEM education is, especially for rural high schools.

“STEM in small school systems is so important that it’s not even funny,” McQuagge emphasized. “Having that connection to other types of things like engineering is such a great gateway for students and I feel like more schools – especially rural schools – should embrace and adopt STEM. It pushes the boundary and lets kids see more opportunities they could have.”