Alex Paul
Ashley Horn’s first steps were taken with therapeutic shoes paid for by the Shrine Hospital.
In August, Horn will reign as the East Queen of the 52nd Shrine All-Star Football Game to be held in Baker City. She is the first SHHS student to be so honored.
Horn, 17, is a senior and the daughter of Bill and Tracy Horn.
“These are the shoes I wore,” Horn said, holding up a white open toed shoe. “I actually had to wear them on the wrong feet so they would help move my feet into the right position.”
Now a tall, vibrant Husky volleyball and softball player, Horn received her first leg casts at the age of six months.
“I never had to have operations but they turned my feet little by little and cast them,” she said. “I don’t remember any pain.”
Horn said she was “shocked” upon learning of her selection. Her chaperones will be Mearl and Jean Kroker. Mr. Kroker is a member of the Linn County Shrine Unit based in Albany, who will be Horn’s sponsors.
“She’s just wonderful, the epitome of what a teenage girl should be,” Mrs. Kroker said.
In addition to athletics, Horn is the senior class president and was the junior class president. She is a member of the leadership class and the FBLA Club. Horn is chairing the Kids for Clothes Drive gathering clothes for needy youngsters in the community.
As she approaches the final months of her senior year, Horn is considering Portland State University of the University of Oregon where she wants to study finance.
“I would like to become an investment banker or financial analyst,” Horn said.
Her goals also include “being successful and having a nice family.”
Horn enjoys traveling and is tying last summer’s trip to Europe with other SHHS students into her AP English class which focuses on the classics.
“I can really relate to it now,” she said.
In addition to her full load of school and extracurricular activities, Horn works at the A and W Restaurant.
“I’m not sure of my Shrine schedule but I know I’ll ride in a parade, go with the players to the Shrine Hospital and attend banquets and breakfasts,” Horn said.
Horn lived in northern California until the age of nine when her family moved to Sweet Home.
“A Shrine doctor checked my feet and because the closest Shrine hospital was in San Francisco, they paid for my treatment in Yreka,” Horn said.
Shrine Game queens all have received treatment from the Shriner’s programs.
This year’s West team queen will be Shelbi Keffer of Keno. She is a junior in high school.
Queen Ashley will be officially crowned at a ceremony March 24 in Albany.