By Kristine Thomas
J’Nyssa Baker is addicted to community service.
The 17-year-old Silverton High School senior’s volunteer work includes teaching preschool at her church, Trick-o-Treating for UNICEF, participating in food drives for Silverton Area Community Aid, assisting in a coin drive to raise funds for the Tree of Giving and working with Habitat for Humanity.
She’s also senior class president, on the track team and a member of the National Honor Society, concert choir, Jazz ensemble, Link Crew and Key Club.
She also participates with the school’s theater department. She has a 3.98 grade point average and is ranked 15th in her class.
“I like being able to give to my community,” Baker said. “I like knowing that by volunteering I can help someone.”
The Silverton Chamber of Commerce selection committee chose Baker as the 2010 Future First Citizen. She will be recognized for her volunteer work at the high school and in the community at the 40th annual First Citizen banquet.
She attributes her volunteerism to her mother, Donnadean Baker. Her dad is John Baker and siblings are J’Dean, 21, and J’Rrett, a high school freshman.
“Ever since I was little, she has helped out at my school,” Baker said. “She would bring snacks for my teammates. I found my willingness to give because of what I have seen my mom do.”
Wearing a sweatshirt with the words “Mom, Soprano,” Baker laughed that “mom” is the nickname given to her by her fellow Choralaires. Known for carrying a bag of dress shoes, snacks, water, accessories and other items that would rival Mary Poppins’ bag, Baker said her fellow Choralaires know if they forgot something, that she probably has it.
“They know I have them covered,” she said. “I like taking care of people.”
As senior class president, she and her fellow ASB members have organized many fundraisers including a coin drive for the Tree of Giving and a canned food drive for Silverton Area Community Aid.
“I hope teens can see outside themselves and the importance of helping other families in need,” Baker said.
“We have people in our community who asked for socks and underwear for Christmas. I think by helping others, it lets teens know it’s not about them all the time. Volunteering teaches teens to see the connection to their fellow peers and beyond themselves.”
Choir teacher Brace Langenwalter said Baker is an “amazing young woman who is well-deserving” of the Future First Citizen award.
“She is compassionate, intelligent, driven, hard-working, and fun-loving,” Langenwalter said, adding that is an unusual combination to have inside of one person. “J’Nyssa makes it seem like the most natural thing in the world.”
Langenwalter said Baker is the kind of leader that students follow without question.
“She leads by example and in a way that makes it obvious that she is doing the right thing,” Langenwalter said. “She is never bossy or demanding, but is patient and understanding.”
Langenwalter said it’s been a tremendous privilege to be Baker’s teacher for the past four years. He looks forward to see what Baker will accomplish after high school.
“I will say that failure is not an option for her,” he said. “J’Nyssa will continuously strive for success until she meets her goals.”
Social science teacher Chris Blackburn said Baker is an intelligent young woman who has worked relentlessly to improve both individually and the community-at-large.
“J’Nyssa is the kind of young person you hope that other people would emulate,” Blackburn said. “Having known J’Nyssa for three years, it is clear she is a reflection of the values that her parents have instilled in her.”
Blackburn said he has had the opportunity to watch Baker work with fellow ASB students.
“Her leadership skills are clear…she has enthusiasm and the ability to listen to others in making decisions,” Blackburn said. “Finally, I have no doubt that J’Nyssa will achieve great things in her life and the community she decides to live her life…I just hope it is Silverton! “
While Baker still is exploring what college she’ll attend in the fall and what her major will be, she does know volunteering will always be a top priority.
“If I were in a situation were I had nothing, were I had no hope at all, if nobody would want to give a second of their day to help, why would I want to keep going on,” Baker said.
“I never want anyone to feel like that. If in a small way, I can help someone by volunteering, I think it shows people other people care about them. To be cared about is a piece of hope in my mind.”
