Alex Paul
Student leaders Annamarie Wilson, 18, and Chad Workman, 17, will represent Sweet Home High School at the county Junior First Citizen competition to be held in Albany. The two were chosen by a panel of judges Wednesday evening.
Annamarie Wilson, 18, is the daughter of Jan Hufford and Marvin Wilson of 4156 Hwy. 20.
Wilson plans to attend Lane Community College to become a massage therapist which will then allow her to work her way through OSU toward a degree in anthropology.
“The Junior First Citizen interview wasn’t as scary as other people made it out to be,” Wilson said. “I think it’s nice to be rewarded for something other than sports. Waiting as the others went into their interviews was the hardest part.”
Wilson brought a wealth of experience in leadership roles with the American Legion Auxiliary program to the table. She is Junior State President, was Speaker of the House at Oregon Girls State, earned the silver award in Girl Scouts and is a National Honor Society member.
She enjoys embroidery, participating in the Singing Christmas Tree, working with veterans and being in the American Legion Auxiliary.
Her other high school activities include concert choir librarian, Student of the Month, theater, working at the Cedar Shack, Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, and baskets for the HOPE Center.
She says she is stubborn, dedicated, doesn’t like defeat or failure. “I believe we are put on this earth to learn and grow as people,” Wilson said.
Her strengths include her musical and theater abilities as well as leadership traits.
“Throughout my life I will continue to be an active member of service organizations, giving of myself to improve the lives of others,” Wilson said.
Chad Workman 17, is the son of Bruce and Mary Workman of 420 4th Ave.
Workman is student body president and has previously served as vice president.
“I was pretty nervous until the actual interview began,” Workman said. “I felt I did all right. The questions weren’t what I had expected.”
Workman said one question that stuck in his mind concerned America’s war in Afghanistan.
“I believe it was a good thing but that we rushed into it,” he said. “We should have taken more time to have located Bin Laden. I do believe we needed to take action and that we can’t let terrorists attack our way of life and what we believe in.”
Workman plans to attend Brigham Young University after graduation and completing a two year mission for his church.
He is a Life Scout aiming for Eagle and is active in his church.
Workman is a member of the Husky soccer team, wrestled and is in National Honor Society.
“I enjoy making things with my hands,” he said.
He believes a friend would say he is friendly, hard working, motivated and outgoing.
After college, Workman plans to marry and raise a family, patterning his parental skills after his parents.