By Kristine Thomas
Kennedy High School senior Sadie Manley was perplexed when her PE teacher Kevin Moffat sent her to the office to work on a leadership assignment – even though it wasn’t due for two weeks.
She was diligently at work when she looked up to see her parents John and Gina Manley enter the office and quickly surmised why they were at school. The community awards committee selected Manley as the Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce 2012 Junior First Citizen.
“I learned that my mom arranged for me to be in the office so I wouldn’t receive my award and have my picture taken wearing my PE clothes,” Manley said, laughing.
A 4.0 student, Manley is the Associated Student Body president and a member of National Honor Society, Habitat for Humanity and Future Business Leaders of America clubs. She is on the volleyball and track and field teams. Her community service includes Oktoberfest, Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce and Saint Mary Parish.
Although she hasn’t decided where she will attend college, she knows she wants to major in chemistry and attend graduate school to get a doctor of pharmacy degree.
“I know I want to work in the medical field but not with anything to do with blood and guts,” Manley said. “I was attending my cousin Rachel’s wedding last year and at her reception we talked about her career and how much she loved it. She inspired me to want to be a pharmacist.”
Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity has had the biggest impact on her, she said, adding she helped to build a house for one of her friends.
“It was inspiring to see how much a difference having her own house has made in her life. Building the house opened my eyes to how much a difference Habitat for Humanity makes in the community.”
She credits her mom for being her role model by inspiring her to go to college. “She has shown me that hard work pays off and the importance of helping out in the community,” Manley said.
Kennedy Principal Debi Brazelton describes Manley as “one of the most giving young people with whom I have ever had the pleasure of working in my nearly 19 years in education. She never fails to amaze me with her generosity.”
Brazelton said Manley will graduate with honors as a class valedictorian. “She is a leader among her peers and a student teachers and staff trust wholeheartedly with any task,” Brazelton said.
The manager of the ReStore for Habitat for Humanity, Connie Farrier, knows she can assign Manley any project and it will be completed to her specifications.
“Sadie is always fun, energetic and friendly,” Farrier said. “What stands out for me about Sadie is her level of responsibility. Sadie is who I call if I want something to happen.”
Social studies teacher and ASB advisor Jessica Schmidtman first met Manley when she was an upcoming eighth grader attending a week-long volleyball camp.
“To say that Sadie is convivial is an understatement. Her vibrant energy brought laughter and silliness to the group even though she was the youngest player. It was evident to me that Sadie was a born leader because she does so with benevolence and inclusion,” Schmidtman said.
Schmidtman said JFK students look up to Manley because she is kind and wants all students to enjoy school.
“(Sadie) is a complete package. She is a selfless and hard working individual that has pushed herself to be the best in life. She is the type of citizen I want to see lead our country in the future,” Schmidtman said.
