By Gina Greco
Town of Webb school senior Lindsay Payne, 17, started at Webb in sixth grade from the Inlet Common School.
In the fall she plans on attending SUNY Canton to study nursing.
“My mother is a nurse, so I have always had an interest in the medical field,” she said.
To better prepare for her planned vocation, Lindsay said she participates in Educational Studies Career Opportunities (ESCO), a program offered by Webb school.
She is working with the staff at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Old Forge.
Her favorite class is Advanced Placement Biology.
“I learn all about the human body and the systems and I enjoy the teacher, Ms. Harmer,” she said.
Lindsay said her favorite teacher is Jed Kinney.
“He is very laid back; he isn’t strict and he gets along with many of the students,” she said.
Lindsay plays soccer, volleyball and softball; soccer being her favorite.
Since fourth grade, she has played the alto saxophone in the school band.
In her sophomore year, she played in the pit band for the school play.
Lindsay took the EMT training course at the Woodgate Fire Department and finished at the end of May.
“I chose to do that to go along with my nursing studies. I have always wanted to do it,” she said.
“I plan to run with the Old Forge ambulance this summer and, when I go to school, I hope to join the fire department in the area,” she said.
In her spare time, she likes to hang out with friends and, depending on the season, she likes to be outdoors.
She likes to ski, fish, swim and be out on the lakes in the boat.
Lindsay said she enjoys photographing school sports.
“I really enjoy the action shots. I like to travel with the teams and especially like photographing soccer,” she said.
She likes to listen to country music and hip hop, she said.
Lindsay’s parents are Will and Denise Payne.
Will is a pilot for Delta Airlines, and Denise is a nurse at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Old Forge.
“I get to travel with my dad often,” she said.
She has two sisters, Katlyn and Sydney, and a brother Brady.
During the summer, Lindsay works with her dad renting boats at the Limekiln Lake Camp-ground in Inlet and at Browns Tract Pond Campground. She also hosts at Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill in Old Forge.
Lindsay said her mother has influenced her the most. “She has always been there for me,” she said.
“She is someone I can always open up to. I’ve always looked up to her,” Lindsay said.
Her mother also nurtured Lindsay’s interest in the medical field.
“I’ve always been into medicine, I’ve always played doctor for Halloween; but my mom has always guided me,” she said.
Lindsay has four dogs and a fish. “I will miss them a lot when I go to college,” she said.
Her favorite memory is last year’s Taste of Country Music Festival.
“That was a blast hanging out with everyone,” she said.
Lindsay said she will miss her family and friends.
“I’m going to miss being able to go flying with my dad whenever he is home,” she said.