By Kristine ThomasKennedy High School senior Kaylee Aman encourages high school students to step outside their comfort zone and to try something new.
She’s glad she did because it has made a tremendous difference in her life.
When Aman was 13 years old, she visited her grandfather Joe Bochsler at the Providence Benedictine Nursing Center in Mount Angel.
“As I walked to his room,” she said, “I would look into the other patients’ rooms and couldn’t help but notice the pain and loneliness that many residents, including my grandpa, were experiencing. It broke my heart to see these patients so discouraged because they were away from their homes, families and loved ones.”
“My grandpa was a farm boy,” Aman added, “who didn’t like to be inside.”
After her grandfather died, Aman volunteered at the nursing home by working in the Intergenerational
Garden and wheeling residents to events and programs. For her senior project, she created a plant identification book for the Intergenerational Garden.
“I was really scared to go to the nursing center the first time because I was shy. I am so appreciative of the kindness of the staff and residents,” she said.
“The compassion that I felt for these patients made me realize that I had a calling to work in the medical field,” she said. “The ability to console and comfort these people in their most difficult times was an incredible experience and is something I will carry with me into my profession.”
The Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce chose Aman as its Junior First Citizen. The daughter of Kevin and Amy Aman, Kaylee has a 4.0 GPA and plans to attend the University of Portland in the fall to study nursing.She wants to become an intensive care nurse.Her community service work includes Providence Benedictine Nursing Center, National FFA Organization, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Habitat for Humanity, Oregon Red Cross, Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce and Mount Angel Wurstfest.
“Kaylee is a compassionate and caring volunteer with our elderly residents and is a great help with activities,” said Cindy Thomas, volunteer coordinator at the Providence Benedictine Nursing Center. “She communicates well, follows directions and can lead independently as needed.”
Aman’s school activities include Associated Student Body president, varsity track team, National FFA, National Honor Society, Lunch Buddies and writer for the school newsletter. A pole-vaulter, she has taken first place in district the last three years and placed eighth in state last year.
Jessica Schmidtman said she has had the privilege to teach, coach, and advise Aman the past four years at John F Kennedy High School.
“To say Kaylee is jubilant is an understatement. She is an effervescent student that intoxicates those around her with energy and positivity,” Schmidtman said. “I know that when I am having a stressful day Kaylee is the first to try and help or cheer me up.”
Aman said her theory is enthusiasm, hand-in-hand with having a positive outlook on life, is contagious and can inspire hope, integrity and motivation.
One of her favorite quotes is by Winston Churchill who said “An optimist sees the opportunity in every
difficulty.”
“He meant that when faced with a challenging situation, someone who sees the positive will find endless possibilities,” Aman said. “Enthusiasm is my way of life and has been my motivation to learn, lead and serve.”
A teacher and track coach at Kennedy High, Carlie Harris said Aman exudes a form of quiet leadership as ASB president.
“She has inspired students to participate in school activities by being a friend to everyone,” Harris said.
“Her inclusiveness and acceptance of others is exemplified by the many comments from the student body about how sweet and kind she is or her positive nature.”
As her track and field coach, Harris has seen Aman inspire her team mates to do their best.
She is always there to cheer them on and has shown them through example how to fight through a difficult race – like the 300m hurdles – or competition,” Harris said.
Last year, school morale and spirit was low with lots of negativity from some students, causing many students not to want to come to school or participate in activities, Aman said.
Realizing she wanted to help create a positive environment, Aman said she knew she had to exemplify the behavior she wanted to see in her peers.
Schmidtman said Aman is an extremely benevolent person who puts aside petty behaviors of high school and practices the warmth and maturity of inclusion that many of her peers do not follow.
“As a teacher that works with many different kids in various mediums it is a key to have a student like Kaylee around that permeates camaraderie and helps everyone feel at ease and determined to accomplish the group’s goals,” Schmidtman said.
Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce
First Citizen Banquet
Monday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m.
St. Mary Parish Center,
575 E. College St., Mount Angel
Tickets: $25, available at West Coast,
U.S. and Wells Fargo banks.
Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 21.
Table reservations: 503-845-9440
First Citizen Banquet
Monday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m.
St. Mary Parish Center,
575 E. College St., Mount Angel
Tickets: $25, available at West Coast,
U.S. and Wells Fargo banks.
Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 21.
Table reservations: 503-845-9440
“She is a true leader.”
Aman credits her work ethic from growing up on her family’s hazelnut farm where she learned the value of hard work and persistence from her dad and her uncles.
“If you want to go places in life, it’s not going to be easy,” she said. “You have to work to get there.”
