Senior Spotlight: Nathan Ihnen

One month after his 17th birthday, Nathan Ihnen made the decision to serve his country.

In July 2018, the Brandon Valley High School 2019 senior took his oath of enlistment, and currently serves as Crew Chief for the South Dakota Air National Guard. Soon after graduating from BVHS in May, he heads to nine months of basic training and tech school at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Upon completion of basic, he plans to attend South Dakota State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in aviation education, and will participate in the ROTC program at State.

His career plan is to become an F16 fighter pilot for the United States Air Force and travel the world.

Carrie Ihnen’s son played football and wrestled for the Lynx, and wrestling duals under the spotlight are among his best memories of high school.

Outside the walls of BVHS, “You can find me working part time for Champion Tree Service, serving part-time in South Dakota Air National Guard, volunteering with the Early Childhood Program at Brandon Valley Assembly of God, as well as serving at the Banquet,” he said. “I enjoy helping others in our community doing odd jobs like yard work, moving, heavy lifting, pet sitting, etc.”

Pizza is his favorite school lunch. Minnesota Vikings is his favorite sports team and Stefon Diggs is the guy he would pick to have lunch with, given the opportunity.

“He is my favorite football player,” he said.

The color blue, movie Finding Nemo, and the music of Kid Cudi are among his list of favorites.