A variety of emotions envelope Wright City senior Austin Buchheit, as he prepares to walk across the stage and receive his diploma during the Class of 2016 commencement ceremonies next Friday.During his four years at Wright City High School, Buchheit has developed memorable friendships and been molded by several influential teachers throughout his academic journey.Able to excel in both the classroom and in sports, Buchheit left his mark in multiple areas. Last fall he was integral part of a Wildcat football team that advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2010, collecting a team-high 216 tackles. It yielded him football scholarship offers from Central Methodist and William Jewell College.He also participated in track as a junior and tried golf as a freshman, ultimately finding the most joy and success on the football field.Buchheit, who has always lived in Foristell but attended St. Patrick’s School in Wentzville from kindergarten through eighth grade, has been a member of National Honor Society since sophomore year.Outside of school, Buchheit does logging and manages a firework stand for extra money. In his free time he enjoys trap shooting, gardening and working on his father’s truck.Coming from a family of Missouri Science and Technology graduates, Buchheit has decided to continue the tradition as he pursues a degree in mechanical engineering. He says his passion for mathematics and design, coupled with conversations with his aunt and uncle who advocated for Missouri S&T, were driving forces behind his decision.Q: What is it that you like most about Missouri S&T?“It’s a really good school, and they have well-paying positions at good companies afterward. Almost everyone that graduates get a job, so that’s a big deal?”Q: What would be your ideal career goal?“I’d like to design large diesel engines for Caterpillar of Fabick.”Q: What are your thoughts about graduating in just over a week?“I’m sure I’m going to miss a lot of people here, but I’m definitely ready to take the next step toward a career. It’s frightening going to a whole new place, but I’m sure I’ll do fine at it.”Q: What kind of legacy do you feel like you class left?“Our class really started to bring up those proficient and advanced scores on the EOCs. We may not have been the first class, but we really started to set the bar higher and higher for other students to excel academically. We did the same thing on the sports side too.”Q: Who is a teacher who really made a difference for you?“I’d say Coach (Matt) Brooks, because he really helped shape me as a person through academic goals and helped instill a hard work ethic in me.”Q: Did you ever consider playing college football?I really decided that my education came first so I wasn’t going to play at a lesser school education wise just to play.Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your life?“My parents. My father helped build a strong work ethic in me, and I really appreciate that. They weren’t always the nice parents, but they helped build me as a person.”If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?“I would like to go to Alaska. I think it’d be a really cool place to see with there wildlife and the Northern Lights.”If you could spend the weekend with any three people, who would it be?“Mom, dad and grandpa. I really enjoy spending time with family down at Lake of the Ozarks.”Favorite Food: “Chicken and Dumplings.”Favorite Restaurant: “Culvers.”Favorite Movie: “Remember the Titans.”Favorite TV Show: “Big Bang Theory.”Favorite Song: “Drive by Alan Jackson.”Favorite Musician: “Alan Jackson.”Austin Buchheit