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Sarah Patty: Stayton High School Future First Citizen has long record of activity in community

April, 2010 Posted in People

By Mary Owen

Stayton High’s Sarah Patty has a “have done” list that clearly embraces her Future First Citizen status.

A four-year honor student and 2009 All-American scholar, Patty is valedictorian for her senior class. She’s an academic all-star with muliple Eagle honors, including: All-State Wind Symphony participant; Western International Band Clinic participants; Mid-Valley Willamette Art Show and Willamette Valley High School Art Competition, honorable mention; perfect attendance award winner for three years; one academic and three SHS band varsity letters; and a Certificate of Initial Mastery holder.

Her athletic prowess has captured: Most Inspirational Player and Riser of the Year in volleyball; varsity letters in volleyball (one year), swimming (four years), and track (one year); and Outstanding Swimmer, High Points and New Record Holder titles in swimming.

Additionally, she has been a Pacific North YMCA regional qualifier in swimming for the past nine years and holds various 4-H awards, including Best of Breed, Reserve Best of Breed, Champion Sheep Showman; and Champion Lads and Ladies Lead Showman.

“I participate in two 4-H clubs, and on Sundays, I enjoy volunteering for the Dayspring Fellowship Childhood Ministries program,” Patty said.

A Salem resident until she was 9, she assists in the second-grade classroom at Dayspring, where she has attend the past 15 years.

“It is very fulfilling to witness and contribute to younger individuals’ path to God,” Patty said.

In her spare time, she loves to spend time with familiy and friends, and “maybe even catch up with a little sleep,” she added.

Patty has participated in Key Club, the National Honor Society, Link Crew, Sparrow Club, Breakfast Club and the Friends of Rachel Club at SHS.

“By participating with these groups, I have utilized many opportunities to contribute to my school, whether it was through can drives, coat drives, school campus clean-ups, leaf rakes, troop care boxes, volunteering at the FBLA carnival, or one of the other numerous activities provided by the many outlets at Stayton High School,” Patty said.

Community service has stretched from delivering cinnamon ornaments to Marion Estates residents to making Easter cards for U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan.

“I have always felt such a strong sense of accomplishment whenever I have participated in community service,” Patty said. “Not only do the things I do help others, but they permanently shape the person I am, as well as the other people I work with that are striving for the same accomplishment. This simple yet significant discovery is the highlight of all my volunteering activities and experiences.”

Patty plans to work for a bachelor’s of science in pre-medical and chemistry at a private university after graduating in June.

“I haven’t yet made a final decision as to what college I will be attending in the fall, but I’ve been accepted to Willamette University, Linfield College, George Fox University, Oregon State University and Whitworth,” she said.

After earning her undergraduate degree, Patty plans to enter the Oregon Health Sciences University medical program in anesthesiology.

“My dream is to come back to live in Stayton and work at Santiam Memorial Hospital,” Patty said.
Patty calls earning Future First Citizen status a “true honor.”

“It is a very humbling experience to be involved in service and volunteering,” she said, “but to get recognized for such activities assures me, and all the others who have contributed to our school and community, that our actions truly benefit others.”