Graduation

David Wechter has been known to wear Fallbrook High School’s colors in a unique way – painted on his body. Seventeen-year-old Wechter, the valedictorian for the Class of 2007, is one of a handful of dedicated fans who coated their bodies with thick red paint for football games, even on Homecoming night when the rain came, causing the paint to run in red rivulets down their bodies but never dampening their spirits.

“The memories I have with those guys are the best,” Wechter said.

The day before graduation, Wechter admitted things were “very surreal” and memories of his days as one of the unofficial spirit leaders at the football games were swirling amongst many others, including those relating to his supportive family and teachers who have inspired him to strive for his personal best.

“I have made some amazing relationships and I know some will slowly dissipate, even though I hope they don’t, but it’s time to move into the next stage of my life,” he said.

This Bonsall native, the son of Victor and Lenora Wechter, says he admires his father, a Hungarian immigrant, because “he is a self-made man” who worked hard to earn the privilege of attending UCLA medical school and realized his personal dream of becoming an ophthalmologist.

“[My parents] have always taught me to strive for my best,” Wechter said. “My family is amazing and very functional. We sit down to dinner together every evening.” David’s younger brother, Jonathan, 15, will be a sophomore at the high school next year.

Wechter says it was during his elementary school years in Bonsall when he met the teacher who would have “the greatest influence” on him. That educator is Lori Cummins, now the principal of Sullivan Middle School, who taught three years of math to Wechter.

“She’s a great teacher and she taught me to apply the knowledge I have,” he said. “She gave me the foundation.” In fourth grade, Wechter scored extremely high (nationally) on the Standardized Testing and Reporting testing. As a Bonsall Elementary School student, he was sent to Sullivan Middle School for advanced math classes during his fourth and fifth grade years. Cummins taught Wechter math in sixth, seventh and eighth grade at Sullivan.

From his high school years, Wechter singles out another teacher who he says has made a “tremendous positive impact” on him – physics teacher David Thuleen.

“He’s the smartest teacher I’ve ever had and he actually cares about his students,” Wechter said. “He’s a wealth of knowledge and intellectually stimulating.”

David Wechter will leave September 23 for the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he will major in mechanical engineering and enjoy the luxury of having one of his best friends (since second grade), fellow 2007 Fallbrook High graduate Tim Eves, as his roommate in the dorms.

Although he spent four years on Fallbrook High’s varsity tennis team, this year as captain and voted Most Valuable Player (he and his doubles partner were ranked second in the Avocado League and fifteenth across all divisions), Wechter says the sport isn’t as big a priority as it used to be for him.

“I will probably attempt to walk on to the UCSB tennis program, but it isn’t my priority, my grades are,” he said. “I have to keep my grade point average up; my scholarships depend on it.”

With a cumulative grade point average of 4.45 (final semester grades still pending), outstanding test scores and the rank of number one in the Class of 2007, Wechter has garnered significant scholarships, which makes it easy to understand why he is making it a priority to protect them.

He has received a full ride from the university – a $24,000 annual value – in addition to the $6,000 Robert C. Byrd Scholarship, the $1,500 Bank of America Scholarship for Math/Science, a $1,000 scholarship from the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, and the $200 J. Thomas Smith Valedictorian scholarship.

In his graduation speech to fellow classmates, family members, school administration and staff and members of the community, Wechter focused on “The Pursuit of Happiness” – appreciating family, relationships, true success and ultimate happiness.

With a brilliant mind, contagious warm spirit and affable nature, it’s easy to see how people might think Wechter is under pressure from others to live up to some very high expectations.

“I really appreciate everything, but I’m not doing this for anyone else; I’m doing it for myself,” he said, smiling.