EL RENO – Three down, one to go. Cassandra Rosas is methodically proceeding through her final semester of high school with lofty plans for her future.

Rosas, 18, and a senior at El Reno High School, enrolled in the Construction Trades program at Canadian Valley Technology Center with goals of one day owning her own construction business. That’s still in the long-range plan, but Rosas has enlisted with the U.S. Navy.

Just a few weeks after she graduates, she will go to basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, near Chicago. Rosas will become part of the Navy’s construction battalions, better known as the Navy Seabees. She will have a “BU” designation as a builder.

“I was inspired to join the military because of my art teacher at El Reno,” she said. “Michelle Obert was also in the navy. I know I will get to do lots of building, and that is exactly what I want.”

Rosas has never minded being a female in a male-dominated industry. She said there is a mutual respect between students, regardless of gender.

“There is always room for more women in construction, and I have not had any problems,” she said.

Rosas said many men in her family are in trades of some kind, whether it is electrical or plumbing. At some point, she hopes to work alongside family members.

Males comprise 91 percent of construction laborers, according to information supplied by the U.S. Department of Labor. That figure there is plenty of room for growth within the construction industry, according to information supplied by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which predict faster than average growth of 11 percent through the next eight years.

Rosas is one of just a handful of females in the afternoon Construction Trades class.

She has committed her senior year to more leadership activities. Rosas is the district SkillsUSA treasurer and has the same title on the SkillsUSA Chapter Business Procedures team, which will compete next month at district contest. She is also the head set designer for the El Reno High School theater program.

“I am happy to serve as a student leader,” she said. “I am also very excited to serve my country, and I cannot wait to get that part of my life started.”