Mackenzie Vance: Wishes teens were taken more seriously

• Published October 24, 2008

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Age: 16

Grade: 11

School: Black Hills High School

Hometown: Tumwater

Parents: Brenda and Cary Vance

Best personal achievement: Lettering in theater

How I spend my time: Acting, singing, hanging out with friends and volunteering.

Favorite subjects: Theater, salsa dancing and Spanish

Favorite movie: "27 Dresses"

Favorite book: The "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer

Dream job: Business administration, and a paramedic

Someone I respect: I really respect my parents, but I also respect the Spanish 1 and drama teachers at Black Hills, Ms. (Connie) Colbeck and Mr. (Dave) Heywood. You can tell that they really care about their students, and that they want them to do well in school. They are amazing and the best teachers I have ever had.

College I'd like to attend: South Puget Sound Community College

Someone famous I'd like to meet: Taylor Swift. She is so successful, and she is young. I would love the chance to sing with her one day.

Someday, looking back on my life I'd like to be able to say: I've made a positive difference in the world in some way and that I was as great a parent as my parents were for me.

Biggest challenge facing teenagers today: Being yourself and being happy with who you are.

One thing in the world I would change if I could: I wish that the voices of teenagers were taken more seriously and their opinions were considered more often.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years: I see myself successful in my career and involved with music and theater. I am hoping that I will have traveled a lot and taken full advantage of all the opportunities that have come my way.

Staff comments: "Mackenzie Vance goes beyond expectations and I want others to know! She is a model student, being extremely involved in our community and school. She is very active in our leadership class in the Community Outreach Committee, plus is a Link Crew leader. This year she is assisting in directing our school play. Mackenzie has been in four plays here already. She also is junior class president. Mackenzie has chosen to be a teacher's aid to three of us this year, and she is only doing this because she wants to help and be involved. She cannot even get community service hours for doing this, because she already has accumulated enough! She also is taking classes at South Puget Sound Community College through the Running Start program." Connie Colbeck, Black Hills High School Spanish teacher.

Other staff comments: "Kenzie is a dedicated theater girl. She loves being on stage, but will work on anything related to theater." Dave Heywood, Black Hills theater teacher.