The Optimist Club of Salem met with students, faculty and guests from Blanchet and Sprague High Schools on April 16th to celebrate their students’ achievements. We enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Salem Keizer Career Technical Education Center (CTEC) and got to meet some amazing students.
Below are synopses of each student.
Blanchet High School
All four Blanchet students are being honored not only for their personal accomplishments but also for their leadership, service and setting the example of what it means to be a good classmate and teammate.
Achievement in Service of Community
Jacqui is a Junior at Blanchet who is a great communicator. She can have a conversation and discuss various topics with great intellect and curiosity. She is an authentic person, willing to be herself and respectfully challenge an opinion different from her own. She is an extremely talented young lady - she is intelligent, athletic, and an incredible thespian. Watching her act and sing is a joy.
Jacqui has not chosen a university yet, but she has decided that she will pursue a career in mechanical engineering with plans to work in the aeronautics and/or aerospace fields.
Achievement in Leadership
Josh is a Senior at Blanchet who is being recognized for leadership in both academics and sports. He is described as having the perfect balance of compassion and competition. He is a true servant leader and is continually striving to be the best athlete and student that he can be.
After graduation, Josh plans to attend Notre Dame University where he will major in Business and Management.
Spreading Optimism in our Community
Ellie is a Senior at Blanchet who is a “go-to” person. She is always taking the initiative to step up and help. She is a great student, classmate, teammate and big sister.
Following graduation, Ellie plans to attend the Oregon Institute of Technology with an interest in medical imaging.
Youth of the Year
Orry is a Senior at Blanchet who is a genuine individual. He is self-reflective and strives to be the best person he can be. At the same time, he is completely focused on how he can make others’ lives better. He is service oriented, academically intelligent, an incredible teammate and a great leader.
After graduating, Orry will be attending Western Oregon University to study Philosophy in preparation for a career in law.
Sprague High School
While the four Sprague High School students are being honored for their academic excellence and talent in different areas ranging from math and science to the performing arts, they were all described as being hardworking, fun to teach, caring and great role models.
Achievement in Mathematics
Erik is a Senior at Sprague who is a gifted math student that sees the connections between mathematical concepts. Calculus comes easily to him and he often approaches problems with a unique and creative process. His math teacher described how much fun it is to teach a student like Erik that thoroughly understands the language of mathematics and that really loves the subject.
Next year Erik plans to attend Oregon State University to pursue a computer science degree.
Achievement in Science
Camden is a Senior at Sprague who has demonstrated a commitment to science especially in the field of Environmental and Natural Resource Management. His strong work ethic is evident in the multiple upper-level science courses that he has successfully completed. He has a strong sense of himself and determination that is hallmarked by authenticity, motivation and resiliency. His science teacher has no doubt that in the future, Camden will be inspiring others by setting big dreams and working hard for them.
Next year Camden plans to attend Western Oregon University where he will pursue a degree in Environmental and Earth Sciences.
Achievement in Fine and Performing Arts
Since transferring to Sprague in her sophomore year, Elizabeth has built herself into a leader in Sprague’s theatre department. During her time at Sprague, she has grown into an artist that is ready to take the next steps in this profession. She shows integrity, work ethic, passion, and a deep knowledge and understanding of what being a theatre professional and leader is all about. Elizabeth’s talents have been on full display through her performances in roles such as Penelope Pennywise is Sprague’s state showcase production of Urinetown: The Musical, Donna in Mamma Mia!, and Kaliope in She Kills Monsters. She has now shown her creative skills as she directs and conceives Sprague’s production of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She understands how to collaborate and guide a cast of her peers, getting the most out of their performances and abilities. Elizabeth is a kind, empathetic, and generous human being who shines the brightest when a challenge is put before her.
Elizabeth plans to earn an undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon and then it is on to New York!
Most Involved in Community Service
Isabella is currently serving as ASB President at Sprague. One of her teachers described her as one of the most capable, steady and impactful student leaders that they have worked with in their fifteen years of teaching, adding that Isabella leads with a rare combination of vision, empathy, and discipline—setting the tone for her campus culture while empowering others to lead alongside her. Her leadership style is described as leading with confidence, humility and purpose. She is intentional about creating belonging, ensuring students feel seen, and modeling integrity in every setting. In addition to her duties as ASB President, Isabella is a leader in both Sprague’s Leadership class and Peer Mentorship class. Just some of the activities Isabella has been involved with include coordinating the Hoover Gift Drive, launching Agora monthly meetings to give Sprague clubs and programs a platform, the Peer Mentor program where twice a week she goes to local elementary schools, and raising suicide awareness and prevention through the Choose to Stay Fall Festival. In addition to all her leadership and community service activities, Isabella maintains a 4.0 GPA including AP coursework and participates in varsity athletics.
Isabella was not able to attend our luncheon, but we commend her for the outstanding leadership and service she has provided the Sprague community and wish her continued success in the future.
Blanchet High School Students
Sprague High School Students
Group Photo of all of our honored students