Senior Spotlight: 'God has put me on this pathway'
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Times Recorder will highlight a senior from each of the seven Muskingum County schools. They were nominated for a Senior Spotlight by their school administration.
ZANESVILLE — Karli Sidwell learned a valuable lesson years ago.
During a mission trip with her church, she, along with her mother, Christy, and sister, Kalli, helped an area in North Carolina. The project stoked a passion in Sidwell, who continues to make an impact in the community.
"I got to see how others lived, especially people from different backgrounds and lifestyles," she said. "That's when I knew I wanted to help people. It's something I really care about."
The Maysville senior has been a member of numerous groups, including four years with the Rotary Interact Club and Students Against Destructive Decisions and three years with Big Brother Big Sisters and National Honor Society. She also helped organize blood drives with the Red Cross at the school.
Staff members Katie Leasure and Amanda Merlo applauded Sidwell's efforts in helping the community.
"She is responsible and dependable and is a pleasure to be around," Leasure said.
"She organized the blood drive for at least two years, and she is outgoing, responsible and dependable," Merlo added.
Sidwell appreciated her advisors' efforts, including her English teacher, Toni Stoepfel. Their leadership and trust gave Sidwell the confidence to step into leadership roles, as the president for SADD and Interact Club.
Sidwell was noticed for her efforts, in and out of the classroom after being named the Student of the Month for May.
"For teachers to look at me and know I’m responsible enough to represent the school means so much to me," she said. "There's a lot of organization, planning and involvement for these clubs, and the teachers want to see the students succeed.
"I've made a lot of good relationships, including with Mrs. Stoepfel. She knows my family well, and she really cares about her students," Sidwell added. "As a student, you really appreciate that teachers are willing to do what they can to help you succeed."
Another staff member gave Sidwell the encouragement to try something new. Sidwell played softball her first three years before deciding to become a thrower for the track and field team. Coach Dustin Young tried to convince Sidwell to give it a try earlier in high school before Sidwell made the commitment for her senior season.
She will compete in the Division II regional in the shot on Thursday and needs to place in the top four to earn a state berth.
"Coach Young really wanted me to give it a try. I thought since my heart wasn't in softball anymore, then I figured I might as well go for it being my senior year," Sidwell said. "I've thought about trying an individual sport, and I've really excelled at it even though this is my first year doing it. I didn't want to hold anything back, and I'm glad I decided to give it a try."
Sidwell has learned the importance of handling adversity. It's one reason that she is choosing to study nursing at Ohio University Zanesville. When she was in eighth grade she had a case of appendicitis, which led her to having surgery to remove her appendix at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus.
She used College Credit Plus over the past two years at Zane State to get a head start on her college degree.
"Seeing how the nurses handled everything got me interested in being one. I want to help people like they helped me."
Her faith is also driving her towards that career. Sidwell, who attends Rolling Plains, knows her family, including her mother and father, Todd, will continue to provide encouragement needed to stay on the right path.
"God has put me on this pathway for what I’m supposed to do," she said. "My family is also always there for me. Some kids don't get that support so I'm very fortunate. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today."
bhannahs@gannett.com
Twitter: @brandonhannahs
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: 'God has put me on this pathway'
