CTE Month Spotlight!

For Fernley High School graduate Ezra Diemert, a three-year journey in the FHS Accounting Program didn’t just teach him numbers, it helped him discover his future.

Ezra began taking accounting classes at Fernley High School and completed Accounting 1, 2, and 3. During his junior year, teacher Rebecca Mayer, approached her students with an exciting opportunity: to launch a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Tax Program at the school.

Ezra was part of the very first group of students to make that vision a reality.

Starting the VITA program wasn’t as simple as learning to file taxes. Ezra and his classmates went through the full process of:

• Writing a formal proposal to the school district

• Identifying the resources needed to launch the program

• Completing extensive tax preparation training

At just 16 years old, Ezra was learning how to professionally prepare tax returns for community members.

After the proposal was accepted, the students trained and prepared for their first tax season. They even participated in interviews with Channel 2 and Channel 8 News to help spread the word. Though they were nervous, they were equally excited to represent their school and program.

By the end of their first tax season, the student-run VITA program had processed tax returns totaling about $1.5 million in income.

The program was such a success that it continues to run today.

By his senior year, Ezra took on the role of “Manager.” If a client came in with a more advanced tax issue, Ezra would step in to handle the return. He pursued advanced tax return training to ensure he could confidently assist clients with more complex needs.

During their second tax season, the program doubled their team and processed close to $2 million in income — nearly doubling their first-year impact.

Ezra strongly recommends the program to any student considering it.

“I don’t think I would be where I am today without the VITA Tax Program at Fernley High School.”

Interestingly, Ezra didn’t originally plan to pursue finance. He entered high school thinking he would become an engineer. But once he began taking accounting, everything clicked.

Today, Ezra is a third-year student at the University of Nevada, Reno, studying Finance and Economic Policy. He chose UNR not only for its academic programs, but also because of his passion for music, he played the trombone for the UNR marching band!

Ezra’s early experience with VITA opened doors quickly. During his freshman year of college, he was approached with an opportunity to work in tax preparation. He worked with TurboTax that year, further building his experience.

However, he realized taxes weren’t what he wanted to do long term.

Later, a recruiter contacted him about a financial advisory internship opportunity with Northwestern Mutual. After nearly six interviews, extensive training, and earning licensure, Ezra secured his current role as a Financial Planning Intern.

Today, he works directly with clients, helping them build plans for their financial futures.

Ezra’s days are highly client-facing. He spends time:

• Planning and organizing his schedule

• Meeting with clients and learning about what matters most to them

• Understanding long-term goals, often 20 to 30 years into the future

• Building strategies to help clients feel financially secure

He admits he never imagined himself in such a people-centered career, but he loves the opportunity to help others reach their goals.

“It’s a great opportunity to make people feel secure.”

Ezra’s biggest advice to students considering a similar path:

“Never be afraid to try something different. You might be set on one thing and get offered something else — and you might love it even more.”

His journey from an accounting classroom at Fernley High School to financial planning at the collegiate level shows exactly what Career and Technical Education is all about, giving students real-world skills, confidence, and opportunities that shape their futures.

As we celebrate CTE Month, Ezra’s story is a powerful reminder of how hands-on programs like the FHS Accounting and VITA Tax Program don’t just teach content, they launch careers.