For Vandalia junior Dakira Weischedel, Business isn’t just an academic subject—it’s a family tradition and a personal calling. With parents who are real estate agents and property owners, she grew up learning the rhythms of buying, fixing, and managing homes. That experience has shaped her goal to one day study business in college and chart her own entrepreneurial path.

At Vandalia High School, Dakira has taken the opportunity to get a head start through the dual credit small business program at Okaw Vocational Center. The coursework has challenged her in new ways, from typing proficiency to exploring how companies operate. Even more exciting is the hands-on element: shadowing local businesses on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Dakira chose the Vandalia Country Club, where she already spends evenings working with golf carts, taking out trash, and helping in the kitchen. It’s a natural fit, since she not only enjoys the work but also loves the game of golf.

Golf is more than just a pastime—it’s a defining part of her high school experience. As a freshman, she qualified for sectionals, and she continues to sharpen her skills every season. Living right next to the Vandalia course means she can play almost daily. Her passion for the sport has even shaped her college hopes. If she earns a scholarship, her dream is to attend the University of Washington in Seattle. “They send me invitations to visit every month,” she says. “I want to go there so badly.”

Still, Dakira keeps her plans realistic. She knows the first step may be working for someone else before branching into her own business. The CEO program, which she’ll be eligible for as a senior, offers the chance to create a business of her own design. She hasn’t settled on what that will look like, but she’s excited for the challenge.

Outside of business and golf, she stays active in basketball and, for the first time this year, track. Sports have taught her discipline, teamwork, and decisiveness—qualities that also matter in business. “Basketball is all about quick decisions,” she reflects. “Business is, too. You have to execute.”

What ties all of these pursuits together is a strong sense of place. Born and raised in Vandalia, Dakira appreciates the familiarity and loyalty of her hometown. “I don’t like moving. I just like one place and one place only,” she says. While college will take her beyond Vandalia for a time, she treasures the grounding influence of her community and the teachers who have encouraged her along the way. Freshman and sophomore history teacher Ms. Hansen and current business teacher Ms. Austin stand out as mentors who have left an imprint.

With so many commitments—school, sports, work, and internships—Dakira is already proving she can balance a busy schedule with focus and determination. She plans to bring that same energy to her future studies and career, wherever they lead. For now, she’s shaping her story one round of golf, one class project, and one business idea at a time.