Ryan Hoke of Fisherville is one semester closer to realizing his dream of becoming a weatherman.

The Manual High School graduate just finished his first semester at Mississippi State University's program in broadcast meteorology.

And, in true Hoke style, he found a way to get ahead.

Hoke, 19, had already been making weather forecasts on his Web site, Ryan Weather, and his blog, ryanweather.blogspot.com, for several years before he moved to college.

The program recognized his initiative and struck a deal with him that allows him studio time. He does graphic design for the department, and in turn, he gets two hours of credit, and one hour per week in the school's professional-quality studio to tape for his blog and Web site. Usually, students don't get in front of the cameras until their junior year.

“They took my motivation and ran with it,” he said.

He was also recently tapped by Channel 5 in Starkville to help cover the town's Christmas parade. He did weather updates and interviews with parade participants.

Last summer, Hoke was one of six high school graduates to be named a Distinguished Scholar at Mississippi State, one of the school's most prestigious scholarships. The award provides nearly $60,000 for Hoke's education, including free room and board in the campus residence halls, a one-time $1,500 educational enrichment scholarship for study abroad, internships or other pursuits and an undergraduate research fellowship award valued at $4,000 over two summers.

Hoke also won the James E. Casey Scholarship and the Kentucky House of Representatives' Academic Achievement Award.

Hoke intends to work again this summer for Storm Chasing Adventure Tours, a company that takes customers on treks in search of powerful thunderstorms through Tornado Alley. He's volunteered with the company in previous summers and redesigned the company's Web site.

Hoke said he's learned a tremendous amount and gained valuable experience in just the few months he's been at college.

“It's the perfect place for me,” he said.


Reporter Niki King can be reached at (502) 582-4248.