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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (July 3, 2020)
JULY 3, 2020, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3 KeizerCommunity KEIZERTIMES.COM MHS besties claim Keizer Heritage scholarships BY MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes McKinsey Jarnagin and Jorie Skipper have had a lot in common over the course of their last four years at McNary High. Not only did the two stu- dents become best friends in their respec- tive freshman years, they also each had a 4.0 grade- point average t h ro u g h o u t high school and served in National Honor Soci- ety together. But the compar isons don’t stop there. Jarnagin and Skipper were doubles partners for the McNary girls’ tennis team last season and were in the Mc- Nary science club together. “We have been best friends for the last four years. We are a lot alike in so many ways,” Skipper said. To put the cherry on top of each of their high school lives, Jarnagin and Skipper were not only named two of McNary’s valedictorians, they were also the two recipients of the two annual Keizer Heritage Foun- dation scholarships — which awards Jarnagin and Skipper $1,000 to go straight towards tuition costs. “ A nyo n e could have won it. All that applied were wor- thy. But what separated (Jarnagin and Skipper) was their contin- uous direct investment in the commu- nity,” said Bet- ty Bolin, the administrator for the Keizer Heritage Foun- dation. “They were there to help their classmates and the community in any way they could.” “It’s important for a small community like Keizer to take care of our kids. I know $1,000 isn’t a lot, but even if Submitted McKinsey Jarnagin (left) and Jorie Skipper were this year’s recipients of the Keizer Heritage Foundation Scholarships. it makes a little bit of a differ- ence, it’s well worth it.” When Jarnagin fi rst found she was the winner, she had a hard time controlling her ela- puzzle answers tion. “My mom called me when she got in the mail. When she told me I won, I was freaking out. I was so excited,” Jarnagin said. Jarnagin will be attending Western Oregon University (WOU) in the fall to study chemistry. Her eventual goal is to either become a chemistry teacher or work in a research lab. “I really like the small-cam- to a private college allows me pus feel of WOU and that it’s access to a better education.” Skipper became passionate close to home,” Jarnagin said. “And I’m really glad I get the about nursing after being a opportunity to study some- nursing assistant at a camp for thing I’m passionate about. foster kids for three years. “I love helping people and I’ve always loved science. It has always been challenging and I feel like being a nursing assis- tant at camp really opened the interesting to me.” Jarnagin volunteered in door to me on how important dozens of different capacities nurses are,” Skipper said. “All the work that I in her time at did I think re- McNary. But it ally acclimated was the work “This small me to pursue she did at the Simonka House town of Keizer nursing as a profession.” that really had No matter an impact on has brought what happens her — Simonka me up in such in college, both House, which is Jarnagin and located in Keiz- a fantastic Skipper con- er, is a shelter way.” sider themselves for women and fortunate to children. — McKinsey Jarnagin have grown up “I went back in Keizer. to serve there “I just feel so blessed to several times. I wanted to help those kids in any way that I be able to grow up in Keizer. Being at the only high school could,” Jarnagin said. While Jarnagin is heading in town means that everyone to WOU in the fall, Skipper is backing you. I have had the will be attending Seattle Pacif- privilege to be infl uenced by ic University (SPU) to study a great staff and so many great teachers that changed my life,” nursing. “I chose SPU because of Skipper said. “This small town of Keizer their great diversity and I real- ly love the closeness between has brought me up in such a the faculty and students. I fantastic way. The people here also really appreciate that it’s a have been kind to me and they Christ-based school,” Skipper have inspired me. One day, I would love to teach in Keizer said. “School is really important and be able to give back,” Jar- to me, and I believe that going nagin added. COVID-19 has created a greater need for donations to the Keizer Community Food Bank Please consider donating food or fi nancial help.
