Alex Paul
SHHS seniors Megan Henson and Jeff Rice, both 17, last week were named Junior First Citizens for 2004-’05.
Henson is the daughter of Lynn and Carol Henson of 44519 North River Drive and has a 3.79 grade point average.
She plans to attend a university after high school and major in wildlife biology.
At SHHS, Henson has been active with the Key Club (Kiwanis Club for teens), serving as bulletin editor and club president. As a sophomore, she played soccer. She served on the Sportsmanship Court and has been named to the honor roll numerous times.
Henson has been active in the community as well, with more than 130 hours of community service, including 25 hours helping at the Dinner With Daisy (now Manna) and with Red Cross blood drives.
“I have made trauma dolls for hospital distribution, served at the annual Rotary Club dinner and mentored at Hawthorne Elementary. I also help deliver Thanksgiving Baskets,” Henson said.
Her favorite classes are English, art and biology.
“I’m very fortunate that all of my teachers are outstanding but some of my favorites are Ms. Snyder (art), Mr. Lloyd (English) and Mrs. McHill (Spanish). I wish we had more classes that taught environmental awareness. I was disappointed that both environmental science and environmental issues class had to be dropped over the past years.”
Henson said she doesn’t like to see people become so set in their ways (both physically and socially) that they are not receptive to new ideas.
“I also hope that Sweet Home will become more concerned about environmental preservation in the future,” Henson said. “However, I also think that Sweet Home is full of people that are genuine, kind and extremely caring about the community.”
She pointed to the construction of the Boys and Girls Club/Senior Center as a major focal point of the community.
She also noted the community’s passage of a bond to build the new high school and renovate elementary schools.
“Also, there are quite a few Sweet Home citizens that work really hard to keep this town looking beautiful,” Henson said. “We always have these gorgeous flowers along the roads and they really brighten up the town. I always enjoy Sportsman’s Holiday and watching the parade.”
She also enjoys the annual rock and mineral show, which helped start her interest in the environment.
“I think Sweet Home could be improved if we were more serious about conserving the environment, especially because we live in such a stunning area,” she said.
If Henson were president, she would withdraw American soldiers from Iraq as quickly as possible.
“I would allow the Iraqis to self-govern, only providing aid if they requested it, not forcing it upon them” she said. “Then, I would get ride of the Patriot Act, which infringes on American rights. Instead, I would focus on providing food and aid to countries that are in dire need of help, countries that are starving (both literally and economically). Lastly, I would close the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. I would set aside more national forests for preservation from logging and I would focus on environmental issues that have previously been ignored.”
Her family has been the greatest influence on her life, Henson said.
“My parents and grandparents have shaped my perceptions and views on the world. From them, I have inherited most of my political views, my environmental views and my interest in helping the community,” Henson said.
Henson has four siblings, she loves animals and observing the diverse wildlife of the area.
“I like to draw and read. I especially like to read stories that are set back in a different time period because cultures in history interest me,” Henson said.
In 20 years, Henson said she hopes to be well into her career as a wildlife biologist and working with animals.
“I hope I have made some difference in life. I would like to raise more awareness of environmental conservation in the future,” she said.
Jeff Rice
Don’t be surprised someday to learn that Jeff Rice has invented a robot that enhances a mission to outer space.
The son of Dan and Cindy Rice of 26961 Old Holley Road, has already spent several years learn about and perfecting robotic equipment. In fact, he is a member of a national-award winning robotics team.
Being one of the SHHS Junior First Citizens isn’t new to the Rice family since Jeff’s brother, Robert, now at OSU, had the honor two years ago.
Perhaps the best way to describe Rice’s commitment to his community and school would be “whirlwind.”
For many years, first assisting his mother and brother, and progressing to a leadership position himself, Rice has tackled community service projects with a zeal, especially those associated with feeding the less fortunate of Sweet Home.
His dedication to the Make a Difference Day program resulted in national recognition.
He has logged more than 1,656 hours of community service. At SHHS, Rice has been a volunteer juror and case presenter for Peer Court. In Boy Scouts, he has been a senior patrol leader, chaplain aide and junior assistant scoutmaster.
In 4-H, he has been on the leadership board, served as vice president, president and project instructor. As a member of the Key Club, he has helped with numerous civic activities.
On the Robotics team, he has been secretary and lead programmer, and has shared that expertise with students at Holley and Foster Elementary schools.
Rice has been a summer reading program instructor, taught at Tree Day and Family Adventure Day, helped with the Kid’s Conservation Expo and brightens the summer Kids Karnival during Sportsman’s Holiday as juggler.
At SHHS, he has been on the freshman leadership board, was vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America, is involved with the International Club, served apprenticeships in science and engineering has been vice president of Key Club and a LEGO First (robotics) team mentor.
Rice’s favorite class is CP chemistry. “It was really fun learning about the ways in which chemicals interact,” he said. To enhance the SHHS experience, he would add more computers.
“I enjoy the small town atmosphere,” Rice said of Sweet Home. “But, sometimes, it’s too small. Sweet Home could be improved if more food was provided to SHEM, which would help alleviate the food insecurity present in Sweet Home.”
If Rice were president of the United States, he would “try to get the average American to become more aware of problems within their own communities. If each community grows better, then the country as a whole will become better.”
After graduation, Rice plans to follow in his big brother Robert’s footsteps and study engineering at OSU, although his branch will be electrical engineering.
“I’ve always been fascinated by electronics,” he said. “OSU has an excellent engineering program.”
Robert Meyers has had a distinct impact on Rice’s life, he said. The disabled Boy Scout leader is wheelchair-bound, yet “he has devoted his life to helping young men succeed through Scouts.”
Rice says learning is a joy in life.
“I am a very curious person,” he said. “I also like to juggle and to unicycle. The internet takes up a lot of my time as well. There aren’t many things I dislike except pickles and homework.”
In 20 years, Rice said he expects to be working away from Sweet Home, since “there is little demand for electrical engineers here,” but wouldn’t rule out living here and commuting.