DECEMBER 17, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3
HOUSE,
Continued from page A1
George said she plans to serve for only
one year and not seek election in 2022.
According to Republican sources, Kevin
Mannix, a former Republican state rep-
resentative and Salem-resident, is pre-
paring to run for the District 21 seat that
will encompass Keizer and part of Salem
in 2022.
Multiple commissioners said that
while all the candidates were impressive,
it was George’s experience in the state
Legislature that separated her. Marion
County Commissioner Colm Willis ini-
tially cast his vote for Guptill but said he
was in full support of George following
the results.
Friday’s joint meeting followed a nom-
inating convention that took place at the
Keizer Community Center on Thursday
evening. At the convention, Republican
precinct committee persons from Marion,
Yamhill and Washington nominated the
three candidates from a pool of four.
Following a move to Nevada, Post
announced in October that he would offi -
cially resign from the District 25 position
on Nov. 30. Commissioners were required
to replace Post, who is a Republican, with
a member of his own party.
Adopt-a-Celt holiday tradition
continues at McNary High School
Feel -Good
STORY
Saluting the people that make
us proud of our community
presented by
BY MATT RAWLINGS
Of the Keizertimes
For more than three decades, the
Adopt-a-Celt program at McNary High
has served families in need during the hol-
iday season, and the students on the lead-
ership team have been working diligently
Cat of the Week
Name: CLEO
Age: 1
HISTORY: Cleo is a brown and white
domestic short hair tabby. She was
recently brought into the shelter with her
kittens from a foster home.
PREFERRED HOME: This cat is very
aff ectionate and likes to cuddle.
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From left to right: McNary leadership students Bekah Forrette, Mary Jespersen, Miranda
Coleman, Kelsey Schauer, Brookelynn Jackson and Ben Wood go shopping for presents to buy
for families in need.
Submitted photo
to keep the tradition alive.
“It's a wonderful program. It is cool to
see the youth of Keizer carry on this tra-
dition. I am immensely proud of them for
taking on this big project and carrying
on the legacy,” McNary activities director
Lexxy Johnson said.
Each year, leadership students organize
a gift and food drive for 20 to 25 families
in need that have kids that attend McNary,
relying on the counseling department to
anonymously provide a list of households
that could use meals, clothing and toys.
“It's been a staple for over 30 years. It's
an awesome experience,” said Miranda
Coleman, the senior community service
director for the leadership team.
Leadership students partner with teach-
ers and other McNary organizations, such
as athletic teams and the honor society
program, to be sponsors for the families.
“It's a really unifying experience,” said
Courtney Hanson, the director of public
relations for the McNary leadership team.
Students have been fundraising for
months, with their biggest money-maker
coming from the McNary Holiday Bazaar
last month. McNary art teacher Todd
Layton had his graphic design students
create crew-neck sweatshirts, with the
caption “Merry Celtmas," which were sold
by the leadership students — the graphic
design class also made a fl yer for Adopt-a-
Celt that allowed people to donate money
by using a QR code.
By the end of last week, the McNary
leadership raised over $1,000.
“There has been tons of fundraising.
We were able to sell a lot of sweatshirts,”
said junior community service director
Bekah Forrette.
After shopping for materials over the
weekend, students made gift bags and
wrapped presents, which were delivered
to the families earlier this week.
“It is extremely rewarding and it really
brings back the holiday spirit. It's a surreal
feeling to be able back to help give peo-
ple in the community a great Christmas,”
Coleman said.
“It's an emotional and heartwarming
feeling to help families during the holiday
season,” Forrette added.