By Kristine Thomas
As they head to Eugene, Portland and McMinnville to attend college in the fall, Kennedy High School seniors Mariah Pranger, Joseph Wright, Hannah Kloft and Helen Canchola are grateful for their roots. Living in a small town has taught them how to follow their dreams and the importance of contributing to their community, they said. The four finished at the top of their clsas.
Kloft, a valedictorian, will attend the University of Oregon. Wright, also a valedictorian, and Canchola, a salutatorian, will attend Portland State University. Pranger, a salutatorian, plans to attend Linfield College in McMinnville.
All expressed gratitude for their teachers, parents, coaches and friends for giving them the knowledge and skills to take the next step in their lives.
Pranger said she has a feeling she will feel really grateful for living in a small town when she moves into her dorm room in the fall. “Without help just around the corner like it is right here,” Pranger said. “A trip down Church Street is much more convenient than a trip down I-5.”
Kloft is proud to be able to call Mount Angel her hometown. “I am so appreciative that this small community was able to shape me into the young woman I am today,” Kloft said. “The population sign may read a little over 3,000, but the lessons and skills I have learned in this wonderful town are innumerable.”
Kennedy Class of 2015
Kennedy High School’s Class of 2015 ceremony is 2 p.m.
Saturday, June 6 at the Mount Angel Community
Festhalle, 500 Wilco Highway.
Valedictorians
Hannah Kloft plans to attend the University of Oregon
in the fall. She is the daughter of Susie and Tom Kloft.
Joseph Wright plans to attend Portland State University
in the fall. He is the son of Chris and Karen Wright.
Salutatorians
Helen Canchola plans to attend Portland
State University to study social work in the fall.
She is the daughter of Jose and Elena Canchola.
Mariah Pranger plans to attend
Linfield College and start the nursing program.
She is the daughter of Richard and Lynn Pranger.
Helen Canchola
During her junior year of high school, Helen Canchola began volunteering in her community, trying to be at every community event.
“I began to love helping people and volunteering anywhere that help was needed,” Canchola said. “It was incredible to see how much of a difference a few hours of volunteering could do to an event or organization.”
After volunteering more than 200 hours in Mount Angel, Canchola discovered she wanted to make a difference, helping in her decision to pursue a career in social work.
“I want to help improve the lives of people by interacting with them one-on-one. Through helping in the community, I gained the mindset of doing anything to help people on a larger scale,” she said, adding she hopes to become a social worker at the federal level.
Hannah Kloft
Growing up in Mount Angel has given Hannah Kloft a loving, friendly and community-based foundation.
“I was given the opportunity to be supported in all aspects of my life including sports, academics, and other community involvement,” Kloft said. “I have also been molded by the lessons and values that have been passed down from many generations of hard working families, and for that I am forever grateful to carry these morals wherever I go in my life.”
Attending schools in Mount Angel, Kloft said, fosters friendships and support from teachers and students, coaches and athletes, and community figures.
“I love that I have been able to volunteer in so many aspects of this community as a way of giving back to the many organizations and people that have helped make my childhood experience fantastic,” she said. “I could never fully repay the amazing people that give so much time to the community such as the Mount Angel School Board, the JFK Booster Club, the Oktoberfest board, volunteers of Habitat for Humanity, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and various members of the school district.”
Mariah Pranger
Mariah Pranger said “our roots are planted in Mount Angel deeper than the millions of hops surrounding us.”
“We are all similar, but also inexplicably different,” Pranger said. “Everyone knows everyone and that’s definitely a double-edged sword. However which edge you sharpen more determines your outcome.”
Pranger said when people keep good relationships with their fellow “hops,” benefits are right around the corner. It took her “all up until recently to realize that when you assist your peers, they are far more empowered to do likewise. Even more when you do so with a smile.”
Joseph Wright
Living in a small town has helped Joseph Wright follow his dreams by giving him the ability to develop close personal relationships with his friends and teachers.
“Here everyone knows your name, which isn’t always good, and knows who you are,” Wright said. “Having classes with both Mrs. Harris and Mr. Crapper and talking to them about engineering helped me decide what I wanted to pursue after high school. Having people who know you around you is important. They are the ones who help you the most and help shape who you are.”
Wright said living in Mount Angel meant volunteering at one of the many community festivals. “Helping out in multiple festivals throughout my high school career has taught me the value of supporting the community and how you can impact it as an individual. The Oktoberfest brings in a lot of money and business for the community and it feels rewarding to be a part of it,” Wright said.
