Laura Grove
Laura Grove, 17, is the daughter of Charlie and Susan Grove.
“I saw this as an opportunity to step out and be a more active part of my community and represent the people and area that I have known and been part of all my life,” Grove said.
She is a 2011 graduate of East Linn Christian Academy. She was active in the leadership class, National Honor Society, high school choir, varsity tennis at Lebanon High School, cross-country team manager and runner, senior class vice president and NHS vice president.
Grove was a junior Rotarian in 2009, a Girls State citizen in 2010 and nursery attendant at Elm Street Baptist Church. She is a Trauma Intervention Program volunteer.
She enjoys singing, reading, playing tennis, being outdoors and spending time with friends.
Grove plans to attend Corban University and major in either health science to become a paramedic or in criminal justice.
“Jesus Christ has been the biggest influence on my life because he has saved me and gives me strength and help when no one else can,” Grove said.
Ami Olmsted
Ami Olm-sted, 17, is the daughter of Stephanie Olmsted.
“I think the Sportsman’s Holiday Court is a great way for me to get more involved with my community,” Olmsted said.
She will be a senior at Sweet Home High School. She is involved in the Forestry Club and foreign exchange program with the Josai University High School in Tokyo, Japan.
Olmsted enjoys fishing, horseback riding, traveling, knitting, baking, target practice, hiking and spending time with family and friends.
She plans to attend Linn-Benton Community College and then transfer to Oregon State University where she will earn a teaching degree. She would like to teach early childhood education or special education.
“My grandmother has been my biggest influence by teaching me to never give up and to work hard for what you want,” Olmsted said.
Kimber Swanson
Kimber Swan- son, 16, is the daughter of Scott and Miriam Swanson.
“I think it is a great opportunity to get involved in the Sweet Home community in a positive manner,” Swanson said. “It’s a great place to live.”
She will be a senior at Sweet Home High School.
She is involved in the Symphonic Choir, swim team, cross-country team, Outdoor School and National Honor Society.
Community activities include volunteering at the Oregon Jamboree, Portland to Coast high school relay race, Sweet Home Swim Club, OSU summer choir and church nursing home ministry.
Swanson enjoys singing and playing piano, running, swimming, hiking, snowboarding, photography and drawing.
She plans to pursue a degree in music education at Oregon State University and then teach choir at a high school.
The biggest influence on her has been her parents, Swanson said. “They love me and push me to do my best.”