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Christian Fuksa Leader of Tomorrow

The Olney Chamber of Commerce board selected Christian Fuksa as one of the 2019 “Leaders of Tomorrow”. After receiving his award, he met Jim Hirsch, CEO of Air Tractor in Olney. “That was my first time meeting Mr. Hirsh, [and] I felt special for sure,” Fuksa said.

Fuksa has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his high-school years. He is the frontrunner for Valedictorian of 2019. He participates in academic UIL individually and on team events for math and science. His extra-curricular school activities include FFA (chapter president and a competitor) and sports—varsity basketball, track and golf. Also, Fuksa competed at the state level on Olney’s Robotics team and Land Judging team.

Hirsch said Fuksa is an impressive young man after meeting him at the Chamber banquet. “The most immediate opportunity [at Air Tractor] is for a bright student like Christian who is studying aerospace engineering,” Hirsch said.

“One thing we can offer Christian is hope that if he wants to come back or relocate to this area at some point and time in his career. There is potential in the future,” Hirsch said.

Texas A&M is something Hirsch and Fuksa have in common. Fuksa has been accepted into the College of Engineering at Texas A&M where he plans to earn a degree in aerospace engineering. Hirsch said Air Tractor has an engineering internship program for aerospace engineers who are juniors and seniors. “We usually have one or two spots every summer--this would be good for Christian with his interest in aerospace engineering,” Hirsch said.

Fuksa said, “I love it when things fall into place. Meeting Mr. Hirsch was just cool because it was another step down the road, another specific encounter leading me in the right direction.”

Fuksa’s parents weighed in on the academic achievements of their son, “Above all these accomplishments Christian’s faith in Jesus Christ and how he lives that out daily with integrity, respect and love is what sets him apart as a good leader.”

Fuksa credits his faith as one of the things that helped him stay on track. “I am a Christian, and those values are important to me. God’s laws in the Bible tell us what to do. I believe if you follow those [laws] you will have success; not just material wealth, but what really matters—a relationship with Christ. Christ is an important part of my life,” Fuksa said.