Plans Can Change
Becoming an engineer was always the plan for Brendan Westlake, but an opportunity to perform in a high school summer musical at Midland University changed everything.
“From a young age, I have always wanted to go into engineering. My junior year of high school, I saw an opportunity to audition for a summer musical camp at Midland. I got a part in Grease, and after that, everything clicked. I loved it and wasn’t ready to give it up, so I decided I wanted to go into teaching.”
Now a senior PK-12 Music Education major, Brendan is currently student-teaching with Archbishop Bergan Catholic Schools in Fremont. He works with high school and middle school students in the morning and elementary students in the afternoon.
While he had a tepid love for music growing up, the opportunity to be on stage at Midland fostered his interest in the Arts. “I took music class when I was young, only because it was required. In high school, I was involved in the band, but after discovering Midland, I realized how much I loved music.”
Along with his summer musical appearance, his first official visit to Midland opened his eyes to how expansive his world in the Arts could be. “I got to sit in on rehearsals and classes, but what I remember most was sitting in on a student-led session where they were working together for their own performance. Watching them work, and seeing that experience, I knew that’s what I wanted.”
He also wanted to be able to have a role in many different components, something MidlandUArts would afford him. “When I visited other schools, they always told me you had to pick a niche in arts. At Midland, I wouldn’t have to pick and say goodbye to something I loved. Being able to do everything made the difference for me in choosing Midland. I’ve worked in theatre, vocal music, band, technical arts, stage-management, and even directed. It’s made me so well-rounded, and now that I’m looking for jobs, that’s been a big highlight.”
Brendan has already started the interview process when it comes to where he will teach in the fall. While he is leaning toward working with middle school students, he is keeping his options when it comes to future employment. “I’ve talked to several schools and already have some offers. Midland’s structure allows you to get out there, and interview has been fantastic.”
His Midland experience has extended well beyond the Arts. He was president of the Beta Sigma Psi fraternity for three years, served as a work study with Campus Ministries, and has also worked in the Learning Lab.
“I need to be busy, and I’ve been fortunate that many of these opportunities have found me. My faith is important to me, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Lisa Kramme (Director for Campus Ministry and Spiritual Wellness) and be able to help facilitate a space where people of any faith can come and worship.
“You don’t go into teaching if you don’t like helping people. I was fortunate to have a fantastic family growing up and they always provided for me. Now, it’s my time to help others.”
Brendan has based much of his life’s work on stewardship, which happens to be one of Midland’s core values. “It’s something I’ve latched onto. The resources are here for us, so how do we take care of them, preserve them, and be able to give them to the next person? I’ve always tried to guide toward that.”
Brendan Westlake is a senior PK-12 Music Education major from Norfolk, Nebraska.
