Biography
Quick facts
Age: 21 years old
Born: Clackamas, Ore.
Hometown: Damascus and Canby, Ore.
Favorite color: Orange
Best qualities: organization and clarity of communication
From biochem to new media
I was born at Sunnyside Kaiser hospital in Clackamas, Ore. My parents tell me that my doctor was taking a smoke break when I was born. If it weren't for my dad, I would have scrambled my brain by hitting the floor. At that time, my family lived on 180 acres of our nursery's property.
My brother was born a few years later (three to be exact), and shortly thereafter my parents divorced. Mom, Austin and I moved around in Clackamas a bit and eventually followed my mom's parents to Charbonneau - a small town outside of Wilsonville, Ore.
I started school in Damascus, but finished the other eleven years in the Canby School District. I attended Eccles Elementary, Ackerman Middle School and Canby High School. In high school, I was involved with the band. I played trumpet and french horn and was also the president of the band for a year. I was also involved with the golf team, where I was a four-year varsity letterman. I earned a total of 12 varsity letters for my work in band, golf and academics. I graduated with a CHS honors diploma and a variety of leadership awards including two as the district's scholar-athlete.
During high school it became pretty clear that I should continue my education and pursue a college degree. I applied only to Oregon State University. I was determined to major in a science of some sort and I was certain to be admitted with a high school GPA of 3.9 and an SAT score of 1310. I was also admitted to the University Honors College. I selected biochemistry/biophysics as my major.
As a freshman, I was hired as a reporter for The Daily Barometer - the campus newspaper. I quickly became a senior reporter and was hired as the police beat reporter. I was learning quickly and was taking writing classes to bolster my abilities. I applied to be the news editor, and was hired for that position. At that time, I was taking 18 credits of science and math classes. I was spending more time as the news editor than I was at my studies and I Was failing my classes.
It was that term that helped me to decide to switch my major. I am now a liberal studies major with an option in new media communications. The NMC option has given me a lot of incite into the world that we live in. So much of our communication with each other is through some type of media - whether it's the internet or by watching TV. We draw so many of our dreams and our experiences from TV characters, cartoons and stories. My major has taught me how to tell a story in such a way that it will hold the interest of the audience. My major has also taught me how those stories can affect my audience.
The internet is a big deal. And because of my major, I am learning to make sense of it.
In my spare time...
I am a proud member of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office search and rescue team. I was certified in 2005 and I currently hold the position of "reserve team leader." That means, as I am away at school, I keep track of other members who have gone off to colleges and universities around the world and intend to come back to serve as members of the unit. I put in about 400 volunteer hours a year with this group.
The sheriff's office uses our team to rescue hikers who are injured or lost in the gorge, search for evidence in all kinds of criminal investigations and as "hired" help for different training scenarios - such as school shooting training for the law enforcement.
Oregon Girls State is a program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary - for one week, girls who are juniors in high school from around the state are exposed to a mock government/mock legislature scenario. We also strive to teach them leadership skills. We really strive to inspire these girls to "be the change..." as well as realize their potential as leaders. As a junior in 2004, I was a citizen of this program. Today, I am a government leader - a counsellor - as well as the communications director for the alumni association. Girls State is truly a passion of mine.
Family and friends
Because of my commitments with two jobs (currently) and as a full-time student, I rarely have enough time for my friends and family. However, I know they are out there supporting me to their fullest ability.
Mom is always available when I need to chat. She's a sweetheart that is constantly helping my grandparents who live down the street. Mom is an office manager at Western States Fire Protection in Oregon City.
Dad is a nurseryman at our family nursery - William Dillard Nursery Co. - in Damascus, Ore. He's always been a source of knowledge and curiosity. Dad will call me just to ask me a question and get me thinking. I would have to say that is my favorite part of our relationship.
Anthony is my loving boyfriend. Though the transition from college has been rough, and we've spent time arguing and fighting, we've been slowing putting together the pieces of a relationship that has lasted more than a year. I am so proud of him and what he has accomplished. That feeling of pride is reflected in him as well.