Grateful: Emily Schmidt says she learned what matters most from her parents

By Kristine Thomas

Emily Schmidt remembers the moment that made her “grow up” and realize what mattered and what didn’t.

“I was a freshman in high school and it was Super Bowl Sunday when my dad told me that my mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said. “That is the moment I realized you can’t take anything for granted.”

A senior at Kennedy High School, Emily said her parents, Ron and Cindy Schmidt, are her heroes.

She’s grateful for her mom for showing her how to be strong in the face of adversity and for her dad for teaching her to be proud of being herself.

“Before my mom’s diagnosis, I cared what other people thought of me. I used to get upset when people teased me about being smart and shy,” she said. “I was a follower. My dad taught me it’s OK for me to be me and not to care what others thought. I realized the little things don’t matter.”

A 4.0 grade point student, Emily was chosen as 2013 Future First Citizen by the Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce along with classmate Blake Traeger. After high school graduation she plans to attend Gonzaga University to study business.

Kennedy High Athletic Director Kevin Moffatt worked with Emily on her senior project, which was starting the Kennedy High Athletic Hall of Fame dinner and awards.  “You can’t say enough good things about her – she helps the less fortunate kids, volunteers her time, she is just a great kid-as good as any that we have had in my nine years,” Moffatt said. “Emily is mature beyond her years – incredibly hard working, responsible and trust worthy.”

Moffatt added Emily is an amazing role model for younger students. “She is what you hope your students become,” he said.

Describing herself as a “quiet leader in the background” getting stuff done, Emily said she likes to lead by example. Her high school activities include National Honor Society president, FBLA, ASB, softball and volleyball.  Emily’s community activities include volunteering for Oktoberfest, Hazelnut Festival, St. Mary Church and Habitat for Humanity.

“My most rewarding and significant community service has been volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Mount Angel. I think it is great that you can donate practically any usable house hold item instead of just throwing it way. No one should be held back in life because they can’t afford something, so it’s inspiring to know that we can still make a great impact in many people’s lives,” Emily said.

She said she is grateful to her parents for all they have done for her and for teaching her the value of volunteering. Her mom volunteers for church activities and her dad with school activities.

“I think you need to be a part of where you live,” she said. “You can’t just live there. I don’t see any fun in that. I have to be involved and give back to my community especially when it has given me so much.”

Kennedy teacher Ryan Westenkow said he has only come across a handful of students in his career that have the “work ethic of Emily and only a few others that have the same level of integrity. But I don’t know if I remember any that could match her in both of those areas.”