Sean C. Morgan
Seniors Jarid Adams, 17, and Amanda Hubbard, 17, are representing Sweet Home High School as Junior First Citizens.
Adams is the son of Mike J. and Kristin Adams. Hubbard is the daughter of Marilyn and Michael Hubbard.
Both have attended the same schools in all 12 grades, starting at Oak Heights in elementary school.
“We pretty much have been going to school together since we were babies,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard, who carries a 4.0 GPA, is a varsity volleyball player, and throws javelin on the track and field team. She serves on the class board, and is busy with her church youth group at Sweet Home Mennonite.
She volunteers “here and there,” she said. Last year, every other Friday, she worked at Little Promises daycare, and she serves in her church’s nursery.
Adams, with a 3.8 GPA, is a member of the Key Club and is also involved in his church, Harvest Christian Center. He played soccer for two years, and he has served at Elks Lodge events.
Adams has just applied to Oregon State University in the dual enrollment program with Linn-Benton Community College. He plans to major in U.S. history and become a high school teacher.
History is his favorite subject, Adams said. “I’ve always liked learning about how the nation came to be, how it’s progressed to today.”
Hubbard is undecided about where she will attend college, but she plans to become a physical therapist.
After undergoing surgery herself, she had to go through physical therapy and enjoyed the environment and working with other people, Hubbard said.
Hubbard said her favorite class is probably chemistry with Cheryl Munts. She also enjoys math.
“My favorite part about high school is the group of friends I’m with,” Hubbard said, along with the sports programs.
Adams said he enjoys math too, and he also enjoys the set of friends who went to high school with him as well as the new friends he’s met there.
Adams was the sole male candidate, he said. Teacher Chris Hiaasen urged him to apply, and he felt honored.
Hubbard faced three challengers, she said. She expected one her friends to win the distinction, but she figured she “might as well shoot high” and do her best.
“I was excited,” Hubbard said. “It was a great honor.”
As Sweet Home’s Junior First Citizens, they will move on to a competition among all eight Linn County High Schools for Linn County Junior First Citizen. Both feel they are good candidates.
“I’m involved in student government, and I consider myself a role model for younger kids in school,” Hubbard said. She is a team captain, which requires leadership responsibilities.
Adams said he does his work when no one’s looking, and he’s not looking for recognition or anything in response while trying to make his school a better place.
“I think I’m just a good leader for the silent group of the school,” he said.