MEXICO – Kayla Fitzmorris was looking for something different to take when she decided to attend a vocational program at Region 9.

The Telstar High School senior didn’t want to sit in front of a computer all day. She wanted to be outside.

So she decided to enroll in the school’s forestry program.

“I wanted to prove people wrong who said I wouldn’t stick with it,” she said.

In fact, she was on the team that took first place during the recent statewide high school loggers meet. She did the bore cutting.

This month, she is one of two young women who have completed the two-year forestry program in a class that is predominantly male.

Instructor Marc Dupuis said this is the first time two girls have completed the two-year course.

Ashley Pelletier, a Mountain Valley High School senior, also completed two years in forestry, and plans to attend Washington County Community College in the fall to earn her certificate in heavy equipment operation and maintenance.

“I like being out in the woods. I grew up with boys and lots of my friends are boys,” she said.

Taking forestry got her outside. It also introduced her to lots of equipment, something she knew would help her with her career goals.

“Any woman can do what they want. If you enjoy being outside, it’s the thing to do,” she said. “But you can’t be afraid of getting your hands dirty.”

Besides forestry, she has completed the truck driving course and earned certifications in Class C driving, and is scheduled to take the Class A, tractor-trailer truck driving test.

Casey Arsenault, a MVHS sophomore, plans to complete the forestry course next year, then in her senior year, take the new automotive technology course.

“My brother laughed at me when I signed up for forestry,” she said. “But he doesn’t laugh anymore. He admits he couldn’t do it.”

Kayla believes many girls are intimidated by traditionally male programs, but she doesn’t think they should be.

“If you learn the right way first, the safety measures. It’s a different experience,” she said.

Although she doesn’t plan to go into forestry as an occupation, she plans to take a course in cosmetology, then pursue a business degree, she knows what she’s learned will help her in life.

“I’m going from cutting logs to cutting hair,” she said.

If she owns her own property, she’ll understand land management, measuring, scales, and other things that landowners should know.

“I’ll also know if I’m getting ripped off,” she said.

The programs have provided participants with a chance to earn certifications in logging and CPR, to OSHA requirements, air brake and fork lift knowledge.

Kayla has found the sometimes negative attitude by the boys in the class more annoying than anything.

“They didn’t take us seriously until we proved them wrong,” she said.

Dupuis said girls in his forestry class didn’t change the overall dynamics of the day-to-day activities.

“The only thing different is girls will cry and boys won’t. They tend to fight back without getting physical,” he said.

Things have changed with girls pursuing traditionally male occupations, he said.

Ten years ago, a girl had to fight every inch of the way and finally left the class, but now they are more accepted, he said.

Parents of the three girls are supportive of what their daughters are doing.

“My dad has pushed me to get my Class A license, and my mom calls me her little hick girl, but she likes what I’m doing,” said Ashley.

Kayla, too, said her parents are proud of her for doing something different.

Casey’s father took the forestry course many years ago. She has also been supported in her decision.

“It’s fun,” she said.