Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
Shelbey Gillespie and Zach Jackson, both 15, were named the freshman girl and boy of the year for 2007-08.
With the honor, the two will be entitled to join the National Honor Society next school year, an honor usually reserved for juniors.
Gillespie was born in Portland and lived in the Beaverton Hills for six years before moving to the Lebanon area and then to Sweet Home two years ago.
She attended eighth grade in Sweet Home, she said. “I love it. I love the town. I love all the schools.”
She had a 4.0 GPA this year.
She was catcher on the varsity softball team this spring and also played soccer.
She was a wrestling statistics keeper and hopes to be manager next year, she said.
She has no favorite subject at school, she said.
“I like them all,” she said. “The one I had the most fun in this year was history with Mr. (Jim) Costa.”
When she graduates, she hopes to attend Oregon State University on scholarships and then become a physical therapist, specializing in sports medicine.
Jackson was born in Corvallis and lived in Monroe before moving to Sweet Home 10 years ago.
He started attending Sweet Home schools in the first grade at Crawfordsville Elementary.
“Sweet Home’s OK,” he said. “It’s got its exciting parts and its down parts.”
Jackson played fullback and middle linebacker on the freshman football team last fall. He also lettered in track, competing mainly in javelin, shot put, the 400 and pole vault.
Outside of school, he works pouring statuary, including birdfeeders and benches for example.
Jackson also maintains a 4.0 GPA and said he has probably most enjoyed math with teacher Dan Tow.
He hopes to attend OSU on academic and sports scholarships and is considering becoming a chemical or mechanical engineer.
Jackson and Gillespie said they were excited to receive the award, which is given based on a vote of the teachers and requires a 3.75 GPA for a nomination.