Sweet Home High School has a record number of top-ranked students this year – 10 – who will lead graduation exercises on June 7.
They are valedictorians Samantha Ashlock, Megan Graville, Hailey Hummer and Zane Jackson, and salutatorians Kendell Anderson, Nicole Bell, Brandon Combs, Brittani Crompton, Sabrina Davis and Kaitlyn Runia.
They recently met with The New Era to tell us a little about themselves.
Samantha Ashlock, valedictorian
The daughter of Jim and Nancy Ashlock, Samantha, 17, has a 4.00 grade point average.
High school extra-curricular activities: volleyball (four years), club volleyball (one year), track and field (one year).
Post high school: Dual-enroll at Oregon State University and Linn-Benton Community College, with a goal of eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Favorite subject(s): Science and math.
Favorite teacher(s): Ann Knight (math) and Billy Snow (science). “I liked the learning environment in Mr. Snow’s classroom – lots of hands-on learning, and Mrs. Knight pushed me to not give up when it was hard, and to keep my grades up.”
If you could give some advice to incoming freshmen, what would that be? “I would tell them to be dedicated to doing their work. Make sure you get everything turned in on time. Don’t overstress. Have fun and be active.”
Megan Graville, valedictorian
The daughter of Joe and Suzy Graville, Megan, 17, has a 4.00 grade point average.
High school extra-curricular activities: Volleyball (four years), basketball (two years), class board (four years), wrestling statistician (two years).
Post high school: Earn a general science degree at Oregon State University, then apply to professional pharmacy college.
Favorite subject(s): College-prep biology and chemistry.
Favorite teacher(s): Steve Hummer (social sciences) and Cheryll Munts (science). “They taught me a lot. They are great teachers. They pushed me to be a good student. And they had moments of being fun.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Be outgoing. Get involved in school. Make the most of it. Try your hardest and stay on top of your schoolwork so you don’t get behind.”
Hailey Hummer, valedictorian
The daughter of Steve and Ladema Hummer, Hailey, 17, is finishing with a 4.00 GPA.
High school extra-curricular activities: Cheerleading (one year), cross country (one year), softball (four years), wrestling statistician and manager (four years).
Post high school: Attend Western Oregon University to become a teacher – history or elementary.
Favorite subject(s): History and English.
Favorite teacher(s): Melissa Klumph (math) “even though she’s a math teacher. You can come to her for anything – math or advice for life.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Get as involved as you can. The more involved you are, the better you do. The more you do the more you’ll want to do.”
Zane Jackson, valedictorian
The son of Steven Jackson and Elizabeth Trojan, Zane, 18, is finishing with a 4.00 GPA.
High school extra-curricular activities: Football (four years), swimming (three years), track and field (three years), theater, Outdoor School counselor.
Post high school: Attend OSU to study chemical engineering or possibly nuclear engineering. “Otherwise, I’d go into theater. Maybe I’ll do that on the side. I’d rather have money.”
Favorite subject(s): College-prep chemistry and theater.
Favorite teacher(s): “I liked a lot of them – none in particular. Most were funny. They kept order in their class. They treated students as equals.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Sit down, shut up and listen. Get involved in school pride week stuff. It’s a lot of fun. People think it’s so dumb, but when you get to your senior year, it’s too late.”
Kendell Anderson, salutatorian
The daughter of Royce and Charlotte Anderson, Kendell, 18, is finishing with a 3.98 GPA.
High school extra-curricular activities: Basketball (four years), football manager (three years).
Post high school: Attend Oregon State University and major in general studies, possibly pre-veterinarian.
Favorite subject(s): Biology and math.
Favorite teacher(s): Kerstin Brosterhous (business) and Dan Tow (math). “They made it a better experience all around. They made me feel comfortable. Mr. Tow is just a fun teacher.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Get very involved. Play a lot of sports. Participate in games during assemblies. Enjoy being a kid while you’re still a kid. Once high school is over, you have to crack down. Do your homework on time.”
Nicole Bell, salutatorian
The daughter of Jack and Cindy Bell, Nicole, 18, is finishing with a 3.98 GPA.
High school extra-curricular activities: Volleyball (two years), basketball (four years) and softball (four years).
Post high school: Attend Linn-Benton Community College for a year under the ACT program, then transfer to OSU to earn a degree in nutrition at Oregon State University.
Favorite subject(s): Anatomy and chemistry.
Favorite teacher(s): Melissa Klumph (math). “She’s very caring. She cares about students more than just as students. Then she’s someone you can talk to . And she’s really funny.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Don’t procrastinate on things. They won’t go away. It’s best to get done early. Definitely, you should have fun. I think time management is a huge thing.”
Brandon Combs, salutatorian
The son of Charles and Lisa Combs, Brandon, 17, is finishing with a 3.98 GPA.
High school extra-curricular activities: “I just worked a lot for family and friends. I like sports but I waited too long.”
Post high school: Attend Linn-Benton Community College for a year under the ACT program, then transfer to OSU to earn a degree mechanical engineering, with a minor in aerospace, at Oregon State University.
Favorite subject(s): College prep biology and calculus.
Favorite teacher(s): Billy Snow (biology) and Dan Tow (math). “It was always fun going to their class. We had fun, but I still learned a lot. There was a lot of hands-on work. They always asked me how I was doing.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “If you don’t know how to do something, always ask the teacher. That’s what they’re there for. A lot of times kids don’t know how to do the work and they just give up. Don’t wait till the last minute to get your work done.”
Brittani Crompton, salutatorian
The daughter of Larry and Kara Crompton, Brittani, 17, is finishing with a 3.98 GPA.
High school extra-curricular activities: Equestrian team (four years), 4H, wrestling statistician (two years).
Post high school: Dual-enroll at Oregon State University and Linn-Benton Community College, majoring in accounting with a business minor.
Favorite subject(s): Biology and math.
Favorite teacher(s): Billy Snow (biology) and Melissa Klumph (math). “Both of them, you could go to them and get caught up if you were in athletics. They were always there, very supportive.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Don’t be too nervous. Be active. Stay focused on school.”
Sabrina Davis, salutatorian
The daughter of Kurt and Deana Davis, Sabrina, 18, is finishing with a 3.98 GPA.
High school extra-curricular activities: Soccer (four years), basketball (four years), track (four years), Class Board, Leadership and church.
Post high school: Attend Linn-Benton Community College for a year under the ACT program, then transfer to Oregon Institute of Technology to study diagnostic imaging.
Favorite subject(s): College-prep biology and health/wellness.
Favorite teacher(s): Billy Snow (biology) and Kerstin Brosterhous (business). “They’re very understanding and helpful to students. They give you time. They make class fun to be in, to learn. They take time to help you.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Get involved. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Be yourself. Have fun. You’ll miss out and you might end up regretting it later.”
Kaitlyn Runia, salutatorian
The daughter of Bruce and Cheryl Runia, Kaitlyn, 18, is finishing with a 3.98 GPA.
High school extra-curricular activities: Worked in student store (two years), theater (one year).
Post high school: Enroll at Oregon State University to earn a degree in merchandising management.
Favorite subject(s): Advanced placement government.
Favorite teacher(s): Alain Brown (social science/theater) and Melissa Klumph (math). “Mr. Brown has lots of life experience and makes us wonder about things we wouldn’t otherwise. Mrs. Klumph just has a really great attitude. She’s a good teacher.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Always be part of everything you want to be part of. Never tell yourself you can’t do something and always push yourself outside your comfort zone.”