By Kristine Thomas
When Annie Kuenzi was a Pratum student, several boys told her “there weren’t any girls who did anything famous.”
Annie did her research and created a PowerPoint presentation on famous women including Amelia Earhart, Clara Barton and Eleanor Roosevelt. The next day, she shared with she learned with her fellow classmates.
When Anna Funrue told a man she wanted to be a doctor, he told her “girls aren’t good in math and science,” adding the two subjects were required to become a doctor.
Neither Annie nor Anna have to look far to find amazing women who have accomplished what some have told them was impossible. They are both grateful to the people who have inspired them to believe in themselves and pursue their goals.
Thursday, June 6, 7 p.m.
Silverton High, 1456 Pine St.
Seating for ticketholders in gym;
others can view on screen in building
The valedictorians and salutatorians for Silverton High School’s Class of 2013 are all young women. The valedictorians are Jasmine Ahrar, Anna Funrue, Annaleise Kuenzi, Emily Pelletier and Monica Steele. The salutatorians are Hannah Roth, Katie Spink, Savannah Swartz, Jordan Teeney and Megan Willis.
A lively and diverse group, the honor students are excited and proud about their collective achievement – but they are also quick to acknowledge they know a lot of young men in their class who could have achieved the same results.
“I don’t think we are the most intelligent students in our class,” Monica said. “We are all smart but what we do well is turn in our assignments, go to class and do the work that needs to be done to get the grades. It takes a combination of hard work and intelligence to achieve this goal.”
Each was asked to choose a word and a woman who taught her its meaning.
Jasmine Ahrar – Individuality
Jasmine defines individuality as “being able to dance like no one is watching.” She credits her mom, Kristine Dahl, for teaching her to be an individual.
“Living in a small town can be hard when you just want to be yourself,” Jasmine said. “You can’t go anywhere without seeing some you know and worrying who is going to judge you.”
She has grown more comfortable with who she is and what she has to offer.
“I know I am intelligent and fun to be around,” she said. “I don’t have to hide behind a facade of what is socially acceptable.”
When she was campaigning at Oregon Girls State to be a senator for Girls Nation last summer, Jasmine said she won the election because she was herself.
“I have learned by being me, I can connect with someone and show them I understand and care about them,” she said. “I think people relate more to your true self than who you think you need to be.”
Anna Funrue – Perseverance
Chemistry caused Anna headaches her junior year. She was close to receiving a B, making her feel discouraged and concerned about her future goal of becoming a doctor.
“Chemistry really had me thinking I couldn’t go into medicine,” she said.
She’s grateful to her mom, Juli, who taught her the meaning of perserverance.
“My mom is the person who has always been there for me,” she said. “She’s the perfect balance between being sympathetic and telling me to just keep going for it.”
A health occupation student, Anna has spoken with several doctors who told her not to worry because chemistry wasn’t their best subject.
Crediting her mom for being her backbone, Anna said she was able to endure many of high school’s challenges.
“My mom is so strong and I honestly think she is the best mom in the world,” Anna said. “I think her strength ties back to her faith in God and that’s something she has instilled in me.”
Jasmine Elaine Ahrarplans to attend Portland State to study international relations. Her parents are Kristine Dahl and Feraidoun Ahrar.
Anna Funrueplans to attend Concordia University to major in biology. Her parents are Jon and Juli Funrue.
Annaleise Kuenziplans to attend Chemeketa Scholars Program and transfer. Her parents are Troy and Sherri Kuenzi.
Emily Pelletier plans to attend Chemeketa Scholars Program and transfer to Portland State. Her parents are Joseph and Elizabeth Pelletier.
Monica Steele plans to attend Chemeketa Scholars Program program, then transfer to Oregon State. Her parents are Stefnie and Doug Steele.
Annaleise Kuenzi – Tomboy
Annie said she is not a woman’s activist and she believes in the traditional values of a man being the head of a household. One day, she wants a family.
She also likes tromping around in the woods, shooting clay pidgeons with her dad, riding dirt bikes, playing football and being a “bit of a daredevil” – but not in the dangerous way, she added.
Basically, she said, just because she’s a girl doesn’t mean she can’t do certain things. There are many amazing women who are ‘tomboys, including her mom, Sherri, and two women in her church. She also thinks of Annie Oakley, an American sharp shooter who became what may have been the first American female superstar.
“I admire two women in our church who can sew and knit as well as do grout and electricity,” she said. “I look at them and I see two well-rounded women. My mom is the same way I am. She would rather be outside working than in the house.”
Describing herself as a go getter, Annie said the best part of being a tomboy is taking on responsibilities. “I am not afraid to try things,” she said. “I want to try to be self-sufficient and do the things I want to do.”
Emily Pelletier – Balance
Emily Pelletier confesses she has the worst time management skills. Her mom, Beth Pelletier, has the best.
“I am trying to be more and more like my mom,” Emily said. “She has four daughters, is going back to school, works and always has time for her family.”
A high-achieving student, Emily said she could easily put hours into a project worth only a few points. Her mom taught her to think about the time she invested in a project according to how much it was worth to her grade. As a freshman, she remembers the challenge of finishing her “Anything” book for English teacher Brad Emmert.
“I loved that assignment and I spent a lot of time on it,” she said. “I had 15 entries to do the night before it was due. I wanted to make each one perfect. My mom taught me to get it done and then go back and add things if I had time.”
Monica Steele – 25 hours in a day
Monica Steele never had Kirsten Barnes as a teacher. She spent time with her when Barnes took seniors to Washington D.C. for the president’s inuguration.
“She’s amazing how she fits 25 hours into one day,” Monica said. “She is involved in everything and she is always helping others. She’s always crazy busy but she’s always upbeat, positive and cares about her friends and students.
Even though the days were packed during the DC trip, Monica said it was relaxing – not stressful.
“Ms. Barnes made it fun. She reminded us we were there to learn but also it was a vacation and to enjoy the experience,” she said.
By earning her doctorate degree, Barnes has shown Monica it is possible for women to have a busy schedule and still pursue goals.
“She proves to me you can accomplish anything you want to,” Monica said.
Hannah Roth – Independence
The beginning of her senior year, Hannah didn’t know where she wanted to go to college or what she wanted to do for a career. “I wanted to stay home and play it safe,” she said.
Her word is “independence” and the amazing woman who taught her its meaning is SHS teacher Kirsten Barnes.
“When I look at Ms. Barnes, she is someone who does what she wants to do and she does so much,” Hannah said. “She teaches, she got her PhD, she volunteers and she travels.”
“For me, independence means being a strong person and accomplishing your goals,” she added. “I also think it is OK to be yourself and to do what you want to do and what makes you a better person.”
Hannah said she has learned to be independent by being comfortable with who she is.
“I don’t feel like I have to be someone different,” she said. “I have learned it doesn’t matter what others say and I don’t need others approval. I know I am a strong person who can accomplish my goals.”
Katie Spink – Humor
Frantically searching for her car keys, Katie Spink turned the house upside down, worried she would be late to an interview for a scholarship. When her mom, Jan, came home, she asked her where she hid her keys.
“My mom started laughing at me because my keys were on my lanyard around my neck,” Katie said. She is grateful her mom has taught her the value of humor.
“She’s very funny and she’s not afraid to laugh at herself,” Katie said. “She has shown me in stressful situations sometimes it best to just laugh about it.”
She has learned to deal with stress – which she thinks for many teens is self-imposed– by watching a favorite television show. By doing something that makes her laugh, she is ready to start anew.
“You just need something fun to remind yourself there is something else than what you are worried about at that momet,” she said. “My mom taught me it is important to be able to laugh at your mistakes.”
Hannah Roth plans to attend Azusa Pacific University in California to study Spanish and education. Her parents are Dave and Dawn Roth.
Katie Spink plans to attend Kalamazoo College in Michigan to study pre-med. Her parents are Damon Spink and Jan Wingenbach.
Jordan Teeney plans to attend Western Oregon and Chemeketa to earn a business degree. Her parents are Randy and Kristie Teeney.
Savannah Swartz plans to attend Portland State University. Her parents are Trudi Schmidt and Lenny Swartz.
Megan Willis plans to attend Utah State University to study nursing and minor in equestrian science. Her parents are Shannon and David Willis.
Savannah Swartz – Adapt
Moving from Salem to Silverton, Savannah knows the meaning of “adapt.” She’s grateful for her mom, Trudi Schmidt, who taught her how to be strong and adapt to all the challenges her family has faced.
“My mom kept a smile and a positive attitude even when things were tough,” Savannah said. “She took a job she hated but never complained because she knew that’s what she had to do for her family.”
Her mom now owns her own real estate company. “She has taught me how to work hard and to laugh off things,” she said.
Her one “B” was in keyboarding her freshman year. She is receiving all A’s in five college credit classes this year. She will graduate from high school with 48 college credits. “I had never gotten a B before,” she said. “I thought to myself why should I keep trying for straight A’s when my goal was already ruined.”
Savannah said her mom taught her to put things in perspective. “She told me if I could get straight A’s, I should do it because I have the ability to do it,” Savannah said.
Jordan Teeney – Domestic Goddess
A dance team member, Jordan’s nicknames were “Martha Stewart, Momma T and Mary Poppins” because she carried a bag with everything her teammates would need – just in case. “My freshman year at the state dance competition, the straps broke on half of our costumes,” she said. “I had my sewing kit and was fixing them at 11 p.m.”
Her mother, Kristie Teeney, taught her the beauty and balance of being a domestic goddess. “My mom is the ultimate mom,” Jordan said. “She taught me the importance of accepting and caring for other people.”
From working with her mom in the kitchen, Jordan has learned not everything she will try will be a success. “My mom experiments a lot with recipes,” she said. “Sometimes when I make something, it will look good but taste bad or look bad and taste good. I have learned it’s OK to take risks and be OK if it doesn’t always work out.”
Megan Willis – Strength
Megan Willis was working as a babysitter for Wendy Smith, a family friend and fellow church member, when she realized Wendy was a woman who had the strength to endure whatever came her way.
“Her daughter Miley was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. At first, it was really hard for her to learn how to take care of her daughter,” Megan said. “She taught me that you just have to keep going and do what you have to do to.” Helping Wendy care for Miley inspired Megan to want to become a nurse. She was responsible for helping monitor Miley’s diet, give her shots and check her blood sugar.
From watching Wendy and her mom, Shannon Willis, Megan defines strength as the ability to deal with things and having the faith to know things will eventually work out. What she has realized is – life goes on.
“If I have to choose between being weak or being strong, I might as well choose to be strong. At least then, I am doing something and moving in the right direction.”
