Class of 2021
HANNA
High School: West Linn High School
Career Aspiration: Singer/Interior Designer
Leadership & Legacy Project:
I was interested in doing a project working with music, and the production process of an album, because I want to be a singer. My mentor, Mandy Coffee, introduced me to my love of singing when, at the age of five, I auditioned for a choir she was directing. She was the perfect person for me to have the opportunity to work with throughout this project. For my written piece, I wrote five original songs, and worked with Mandy on editing my lyrics and writing the instrumentals. For the leadership portion of my project, I made all my songs into an album, which I had to record and design. I learned a lot of recording techniques, and even had the opportunity to work with a local recording studio, Sisterly Silence Studios. Finally, for the legacy piece I am selling my album to people in the school community to listen to. They are even playing one of my songs at my graduation! I will donate the money raised to the Middle School theater program for a reusable set backdrop to use in future productions.
Favorite Memory:
I have gone to Marylhurst since I was two years old, so I don’t even know how I’m supposed to choose! I have so many amazing memories of Marylhurst but one of my favorites was at the end of 6th grade. It was really hot outside, and I remembered that I knew where the teachers kept a box filled with Otter Pops. So, Celia, Anneliese, Zoe, Avery, and I snuck into the kitchen and found them. We ate them huddled around the fridge to cool off, and we could not stop laughing because we had Otter Pops melting all over us. It was the best.
Tips for younger students:
“Take care of yourself, recognize when you need help, and know that being your best is not the same as being perfect.”
CELIA
High School: Rex Putnam
Career Aspiration: Anthropologist/Director
Leadership & Legacy Project:
I made a documentary highlighting everyday people’s experiences with virtual school. I worked with Zanna Kortenhof as my mentor. I interviewed teachers, students, and parents about the struggles and benefits of online learning. Then, I put all seven hours of footage I accumulated together and edited it down into a 15-minute documentary with the highlights. There is a lot I learned from doing this project, including how to write professional emails and video editing. I also learned a lot about virtual school and how it has affected different groups of people. Find Celia’s video here.
Favorite Memory:
I have so many amazing memories from my nine years at Marylhurst, so choosing just one is hard. One experience I am particularly fond of was on the 7th grade camping trip. It was the last night and we had climbed a mountain that day, so everyone felt tired but accomplished. We made a song for Teacher Mary about all her funny sayings and sang it for her around the campfire. That night I felt so close to my classmates and teachers and so happy to be attending such an amazing school.
Tips for younger students:
“One of the things I have learned here is that it’s okay to make mistakes. Marylhurst is a safe place and if you don’t mess up you are never going to learn.”
LAN YU
High School: Cleveland
Career Aspiration: English Teacher
Leadership & Legacy Project:
My Leadership and Legacy project was focused on how art heals and helps teens navigate mental health issues; like art therapy. I met almost weekly with my mentor, Angela Thomas, who is an art therapist. Throughout the year, I looked at different art pieces and found out what therapeutic property it had. I ended up focused on the mandala, finding that the repetitive action of drawing a mandala helps relieve stress. For my written piece I created a pamphlet that talks about teenage emotions. It also has suggestions for art projects that people can do to relieve anger, stress, or nervousness. My pamphlet will be included in the middle school summer homework packets, and will also be available through the school. I also researched art standards, wrote a lesson plan, and shared the creation of mandalas with the Sparrows. My legacy piece is a mandala that represents my dog Jasper, and his attitude.
Favorite Memory:
I don’t have a favorite memory of Marylhurst, but one of my fonder memories is of my first day. Everyone was very welcoming and it felt like I had been at Marylhurst for more than just one day. We went to the Clackamas River at Mary S. Young Park and it was a blast!
Tips for younger students:
“Know what you want to do and then full steam ahead. Also, if you don’t know what you want to do, think of something you like and then see what kind of project you can make from it.”
MATEO
High School: Alliance Charter Academy
Career Aspiration: Woodworking or Carpentry
Leadership & Legacy Project:
I’ve always really liked the idea of working with wood. Chess has always been a popular game in the Heron class, so I thought making a chessboard was a good idea when it was suggested to me. The first mentor I had was good but medical issues came up that made it impossible for him to continue. Joe, my mentor now, knows a lot about woodworking, and I continue to learn from him with every meeting. For example, creating something of quality out of wood is no easy task - it takes a lot of time and effort. I learned that from working with Joe. I’ve really liked learning new skills, but what I have enjoyed the most is understanding how things work.
Favorite Memory:
There are so many favorite memories from being at Marylhurst. I loved the plays and all the projects. If I have to choose one favorite memory it would be from sixth grade when I would scooter around the track at Mt. Pleasant during recess. The scooter was small, and not designed for a sixth grader, but it was something I hadn’t gotten to do before.
Tips for younger students:
“Don’t put things off, even if you want to. At some point you just have to juggle things and get things done.”