By Gina Greco
Town of Webb senior Emily Hoffman, 18, moved to Woodgate from the Boonville area in second grade.
In the fall, she plans to attend St. Elizabeth’s College of Nursing.
Everything kind of fell into place last minute for Emily, she said.
She was unsure of a career direction but, after a hands-on program at Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) called New Vision, she decided she was interested in nursing.
The more she learned about nursing, the more intrigued she became.
“I just fell in love with it,” she said.
Emily’s favorite classes are Physiology and Anatomy at BOCES.
She said her favorite teacher is Mr. Cunningham. “He’s so funny!” she said.
She said he has been very helpful with her college preparation.
“He is hard on you, but it’s a good thing. You need a teacher like that—it will benefit you,” she said.
“Since I take English at BOCES, I can come to him for help with my classes over there, too. He always has the answers,” she said.
Emily plays on Webb’s varsity basketball and track teams.
“Track is my favorite,” she said.
She competes in the hurdles, pole vault and sprints.
Emily said she currently holds the school record for pole vault.
She said she made it to states for hurdles in 10th and 11th grade, won sectionals both years, and was undefeated.
She is a member of Key Club, Varsity Club, and she is the treasurer of Yearbook Staff.
Outside of school, she likes to work out a lot. She also rides four-wheelers, hunts and fishes.
She said she enjoys all kinds of music. “Lately, I have been getting into reggae music,” she said.
Her parents are Craig and Colleen Kratzenberg.
Craig owns Rookies, a bar and restaurant in Boonville; also Kratenberg Stucco and Stone, and Kratzenberg Spray Foam and Insulation.
Emily has one younger brother, Justin—who also attends the Town of Webb School—an older sister Kendall O’Conner and an older brother Matt Kratzenberg.
Emily has waitressed at Rookies since they opened last August. Just recently she started bartending.
This summer, she plans to work at the restaurant. She also hopes to have fun before going off to college, she said.
Emily said she can’t pick a favorite memory, but any memories with her little brother are her favorites.
“I just love him so much; he’s very funny,” she said.
“I am going to miss how everyone [in the school and community] are all really close and everyone is supportive through good and bad times,” she said.
Emily is very much looking forward to graduation, she said.
“I am ready to get out and go to college and do something I like to learn about.”