Provide the student’s name, age, grade, school name, telephone number and/or email; a quote about the student from a school staff member; and the name and contact information of the nominator.
Mackenzie Ochsner
Age: 18.
School: Tumwater High School in Tumwater.
Grade: 12
Parents or guardians: Dave and Lisa Ochsner.
Best personal achievement: Staying true to myself while standing firm in my beliefs and morals.
How I spend my time: Making lasting memories with my family and friends, bonding with my golf teammates and enjoying life to its fullest.
Favorite subjects: Renaissance, our leadership class based on making the school a better place through murals and assemblies. And math, because I find the ways different equations, variables, and numbers work together very intriguing.
Favorite movie: “The Notebook.”
Favorite book: Any book by the author Karen Kingsbury.
Dream job: I would love to be an advertising representative for Youth With A Mission (YWAM) that way I could blend my personal passion of being in full time missions helping children and youth with my career passions of advertising and graphic design.
Someone I respect: My dad because no matter the circumstance or situation, he always sees the positive. He is beyond supportive and pushes me to pursue my dreams no matter the cost. I love him and wouldn’t be the person I am today without him.
The hardest part of being a student is: Staying focused and not tearing yourself apart when you don’t reach the high standards you put in place. Juggling six classes and extra-curricular activities is hard enough and when you try to balance honors or advanced classes and it becomes difficult, it’s really easy to give up. So don’t give up, reach for those high goals and standards.
My future ambitions or career aspirations include: Participating in a five-month missions program through Youth With A Mission and waiting on the Lord’s plans after that.
Someone famous I would like to meet: Jesus. I would love to be in the presence of perfection and see firsthand the miracles he performed.
Someday, looking back on my life, I’ll be able to say: “I lived my life to the fullest, glorifying God through it all. And that I positively impacted those around me.”
Biggest challenge facing teenagers today: The pressure to succeed and meet high expectations put in place by society and their peers.
One thing in the world I would change if I could: How people are treated around the world. We were all created equally and deserve to be treated with respect no matter our race, gender, or religion. God created us each with a purpose in which we all should have the same opportunity to pursue and fulfill.
Nominated by: Leadership/Renaissance teacher Jamie Weeks, who wrote, “Mackenzie has been instrumental in getting our new Renaissance class going with her volunteer work last summer painting our commons and numerous projects to help make Tumwater High a great place to be.”
Nicole Strobel
Age: 17.
School: River Ridge High School in Lacey.
Grade: 12.
Parents or guardians: Erinn and Ed Strobel.
Best personal achievement: Learning to play the violin. Music has played a big role in my life and being involved in a group orchestra has taught me how to listen intently and be patient.
How I spend my time: Reading books, focusing on my schoolwork and hanging out with my friends.
Favorite subjects: Math and chemistry.
Favorite movie: I don’t particularly have a favorite movie.
Favorite book: Any book by Nicholas Sparks or Dean Koontz.
Dream job: Compound pharmacist.
Someone I respect: I respect my mom and dad because they are always there for me and encourage me to strive to be the best in everything I do.
The hardest part of being a student is: Getting along with certain people. Sure you have friends but there are always groups of people you may not be fond of and it really affects your actions around them.
My future ambitions or career aspirations include: Getting into college, earning a bachelor’s degree and exploring the compound pharmacist field.
Someone famous I would like to meet: I’m not really sure but it would be really nice to meet the authors of my favorite books, Nicholas Sparks and Dean Koontz.
Someday, looking back on my life, I’ll be able to say: “I worked hard, faced and overcame many challenges and obstacles throughout my life and never gave up. I always gave my best.”
Biggest challenge facing teenagers today: Staying on track and balancing a personal and social life. Making sure you are doing what needs to be done in order to be successful in life.
One thing in the world I would change if I could: People having a more serious attitude towards the effect they have on the environment and their surroundings.
Nominated by: Spanish teacher Lum Ang Chet, who wrote, “Nicole is a great citizen and demonstrates a tremendous work ethic. I can always trust her, and I respect her hard work and academic achievements.”
