Imagine jumping out of a plane and speeding toward the ground at up to 120 mph, with only thin strips of material to stop you from plummeting face-first into the earth.
Very few students or FHS staff members could say they have experienced such excitement.
However, the new health care teacher, Kathryn Edwards, has lived such danger. Along with skydiving, Edwards has done some rock climbing.
"I was a thrill-seeker Ñ livin' on the edge," said Edwards. "I still like to ski fast and dive off cliffs (while swimming), but I put myself into a position where the risk of injury is far less."
Now, in addition to nursing, running a 170-acre farm and raising llamas with her husband, Edwards has joined the Flathead High staff.
"Nursing is not social, but teaching is," said Edwards. "It's amazing how many teachers already know me by name.
"Teaching is overwhelming, though. The prep time for one hour is a lot more than I expected.
"I felt nurses were underpaid."
Edwards taught health care for one year at FVCC, her only other teaching experience.
"I'm learning along with the kids," said Edwards.
She attended college at the University of Colorado and afterwards became a registered nurse.
After finishing college Edwards worked in pediatrics, surgery and hospital emergency rooms in Wyoming and Montana.
Edwards has lived in the Flathead Valley for 12 years after living in Wyoming for 8 years, where both her children where born.
Junior Chelsea Edwards, Kathryn's daughter, attends FHS and is on the swim team along with her brother, David, who attends Trinity Lutheran School.
"I'm a very big swim team parent because both my kids are on the team," said Edwards.
Edwards plans on making her third trip to Eastern Europe in March to visit friends in Vala, Hungary.
"This trip will be historical and a very cultural type of trip," said Edwards.
Edwards described her first trip overseas as "fun and not very cultural" - referring to a time in which she attended the World Sky-Diving Championships.
"We flew over there in a gutted DC-6 and slept in sleeping bags on the drop area," said Edwards.
"The international camaraderie was great,we all shared a love for the sport."