A music coordinator at “The Late Show with David Letterman”. A Magna Cum Laude graduate from Harvard Law School. A Director of Public Engagement for Vice President Joe Biden. These jobs have all been filled by graduates of Hastings High School, who also were members of the publications staff.
The year is 1989. Chris Schukei is a first time member for the Tiger Cub. He had been working at the KHAS-TV station since his junior year and had decided to put his journalism skills into the school newspaper. Being only a senior then, Schukei had no idea what was in store for him in the future.
After attending Hastings College, which attracted Schukei with its then-new Grey Center, he went to New York City for a fellowship with the International Radio and Television Society. It was here that Schukei learned how much he loved and wanted to find a job in the city.
Schukei’s opportunity to stay in the city that never sleeps and use his interest in journalism came when “The Late Show with David Letterman” was switching to CBS in 1993.
“Because of that network change, they needed people quickly and they just needed additional staff because each of the shows was bigger. So, it was really being at the right place at the right time,” Schukei said about getting the job as music coordinator at the show.
Schukei’s time with Letterman was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and even that might be an understatement. The show felt like a home to him and everyone watched out for each other. Every night was filled with excitement as Schukei got to talk with some of the biggest names in popular culture.
“It was a place where if you could dream it, you could probably do it. I was so fortunate to get a job there so young. I didn’t realize that not every place was like that. Looking back, that was sort of an amazing piece as far as creativity and things that were able to go on,” Schukei said.
Schukei eventually moved back to Hastings in 2003, where he started working at his alma mater. He also returned to his high school job at KHAS. Currently, he is the Director of Admissions at Hastings College.
The year is 1991. A then senior Ron Chen is serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Tiger Cub. He is serving his second year on staff, which has helped him learn several important lessons.
“I learned so much at HHS and as a part of the Tiger Cub, both tangible and intangible-it’s hard to break it down and pinpoint specific things,” Chen said, “Mrs. Bonar, our adviser, who alone provided a singular education: she prepared us not only for college and employment but for life,”
Prepare him she did. Chen went to Harvard University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. After college, he worked on the President’s Council of Economic Advisors, then furthered his education at Oxford. Later he returned to the United States and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Law School.
Chen has reached unparalleled heights both in his education and career. Many people believe him to be one of the most brilliant minds to walk through the HHS hallways. Chen now lives in New York City and Silicon Valley and works as a lawyer. Despite having a big-time job, he still reminisces about his time in Hastings.
“I have enjoyed my time after high school, but will always miss my time in Nebraska, and of course the many wonderful people I was fortunate to have grown up with and who taught me at HHS,” Chen said. “View your time at HHS as a special time and a special opportunity (because it is), one that you should both enjoy and try to make the most of,”
The year is 2008. Zeppa Kreager is a senior and a member of the yearbook staff. She is wrapping up her high school experience and is excited to start college at Hood College in Maryland in the coming fall.
Kreager’s experience at Hood College was eventful and opened various doors for her. She served as class president, was on the campus activities board, was a honors research fellow, and did a work trip to Haiti over a spring break. All of this only added on to her achievements in high school, which included serving as student council president, being a mentor, and a student mediator. Her hard work and involvement paid off in the long run.
Kreager has had several jobs since college. She worked on President Obama’s re-election campaign, serving as a field director in Ohio. Kreager also was the Get Out to Vote Director for Texas Senator Wendy Davis, who is famous for her 11-hour long filibuster to prevent a bill restricting abortion to be passed. Also, Kreager served as a program coordinator for Airbnb, a vacation home rentals application.
Currently, Kreager is working as Vice President Joe Biden’s Director of Public Engagement and living in Washington, D.C. This job includes several things like leading the vice president’s outreach, working with celebrities, companies, and elected officials, traveling with the vice president, and strategizing.
Kreager said one of the coolest things she’s done is working with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the group behind the Oscars, and Lady Gaga’s team to set up Joe Biden introducing her before her performance at this past year’s Oscars.
Many people have the desire to have a big-time career that not only Kreager but Schukei and Chen, have had. Kreager has advice for those who are big dreamers.
“A. Work hard and be willing to do anything. B. Be nice to people and invest in them as people,” Kreager said.
HHS has been the beginning for several successful people. A student’s path can go whatever way he/she wants after HHS, as long as he/she perseveres.
