Meet our Mid-Valley: High school seniors honored for community service
This is part of a weekly series introducing readers to individuals who are passionate about our Mid-Valley community.
Salem is recognizing 14 graduating high school seniors for their outstanding work in the community. Each donated at least 30 hours during their high school career.
Over the past year, the students helped with a number of projects and service programs, including redesigning and planting the Civic Center pollinator gardens, offering input on city planning for future development and climate efforts, volunteering at the library, joining the police cadet program and organizing the ILEAD Youth Leadership Summit.
“These students are forming habits now that will serve them well as they become the leaders of our future,” Mayor Chris Hoy said in a news release. “They are giving of their time and talents and making our community better in the process."
Three of the students shared their thoughts about the benefits of volunteering.
An Nguyen, Sprague High School
“Volunteering at the city has allowed me to grow in so many ways, most significantly helping me develop my own self-confidence and my public speaking skills. Through this, I became more sure of myself when leading others.”
Fateh Gogia, Sprague High School
“The best part about volunteering at the library is the community. From the young to the old, each person brings their hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Each day I would go, I would hear about someone's experiences that would inspire me, and before I knew it, it was time to go home.”
Samantha Murry, Seaside (formerly West Salem High)
“Even though I moved to Seaside, I still wanted to give back to the city I love and giving back to the community is something I love to do. This year, the youth council meetings were virtual, making it easier for me to give ideas and join in. Serving with the city has helped me realize how many teens want to give back and help out.”
2023 City of Salem Service Honors Recipients
Ashlyn Chess, Sprague High School
Fatehjot Gogia, Sprague High School
Riley Hurt, Teach Northwest Virtual Charter School
Kiele Jarnagin, McNary High School
Yeonwoo Jeong, Blanchet Catholic High School
Mihir Joshi, South Salem High School
Spenser Lamphear, Abiqua Academy
Shelby Rose Long, West Salem High School
Cady McManus, Summit Learning Charter School
Erin Montgomery, West Salem High School
Samantha Murry, Seaside High School, formerly West Salem High
Ann Nguyen, Sprague High School
Brandon Sims, South Salem High School
Theresa Wunderlich, Sprague High School
Alia Beard Rau is the senior news editor at the Statesman Journal. If you have an idea for someone we should profile for this series, please email her at arau@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Meet our Mid-Valley: High school seniors honored for community service
