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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2018)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018 7 A 2017 Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Siuslaw Awards nominee profiles Nominees announced for First Citizen, Future First Citizen Awards B Y J ARED A NDERSON Siuslaw News FUTURE FIRST CITIZEN Jared Brandt is a senior at Siuslaw High School (SHS) and was described as a “student athlete,” by SHS School Counselor Steven Moser. “Jared is a student first and ath- lete second, able to manage being a high achieving student in class and an incredible ath- lete on the field, as well as a passionate volunteer in his community,” Moser said. Third in his class of 114 sen- iors, Brandt is a member of the National Honors Society and the Interact Club, being named the Community Service Chair representative of the club. Brandt excels in football, bas- ketball and baseball, all while volunteering at the Siuslaw Booster Club auction, Rotary Auction and Relay For Life. Brandt's goal is to gain a degree in forest and natural resource management, on his way to manage the continued preserva- tion of the forest in Oregon. Abigail Coday is a senior at SHS and was described as “genuine” by Moser, who said Coday was “kind, compassion- ate and considerate of every- one, making her one of those people you just can’t help but get along with instantly.” Coday is ranked second in her class and is a member of the National Honors Society, but still finds time for athletics, playing volleyball, softball and acting as the team captain of the bowling team, where she looks to return to the state championship. She volunteers at Crossroads Community Church, spends the holiday season as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army, and helps out at the Kiwanis Thanksgiving dinner and Elks Christmas food drive. Coday plans to study micro- biology, with the goal of becoming a virologist. Kaylee Graham’s defining personality trait is “selfless- ness,” according to Moser. “Kaylee is mindful of others at all times, is virtuous in her choices and actions, and is will- ing to face new challenges head on with optimism.” Graham is the founding member of the Kindness Club, a group of high school students that go to the elementary school to teach younger children about the positive aspect of being kind to one another. But most know Graham as the founder of Power of Florence when she was 11 years old. More than $50,000 in funds have been raised because of the program, which runs 90 sepa- rate service projects in the com- munity. The group has also raised 18,000 pounds of food for Florence Food Share/Humane Society and has collected countless school sup- plies, clothing and emergency supplies for those in need. She is currently taking class- es such in college writing, gov- ernment and she helps as an instructional aide at Siuslaw Middle School. Kyle King’s attitude and demeanor brings up the word leadership, according to Moser. “Kyle continually demonstrates the principles that make a great leader: compassion, character and charisma,” said Moser. Treasurer of the National Honors Society, King was also a founding member of the Kindness Club and is the Communications Director for Interact, in charge of PR for the group. Last year he was the organi- zations fundraising chairman. King is also an exceptional ath- lete, taking part in cross-coun- try, basketball and track. In addition, he’s also a key mem- ber of the SHS Viking Hour radio show broadcast on KCST, and has recently been accepted to the University of Wyoming where he plans on majoring in psychology. the local Kiwanis club; current organizer for the Back to School Bingo for Mapleton Food Share; past Florence Club Foundation board of directors member; past president of Oregon Coast Insurance Women; current youth commit- tee chair and See's Candy Sales Chair for Kiwanis; past lead of the Fraudville fundraiser bene- fiting the Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County which has raised $180,000 for the club; and past secretary of the Siuslaw Athletic Booster Club. The list goes on, which is strik- ing considering the fact that she works full time as the co-owner and agent for Coast Insurance Services, Inc. Rachel Pearson is all about the kids, according to Martin Alleston. “I can't imagine there being anyone who has done more for the children of this town,” he said. Pearson's hard work for the children of Florence can be seen with her current roster of responsibilities: Volunteer for Siuslaw Schools, helping with various classroom activities, special events, recruiting and training volunteers, fundraising and music projects; Florence Community PTA member and officer; volunteer for the Winter Music Festival Kids Concerts; board member of Seacoast Entertainment Association; vice-chair of the Siuslaw Education Foundation; and volunteer for the bands at Siuslaw School District, work- ing with children grades 6-12, assisting with the pep band, FIRST CITIZEN Jean Murphey has “taken volunteering and involvement in the community to the highest level and incorporated a life- time of serving and giving,” said Shannon Sheets, represent- ing the Kiwanis Club of Florence. “Her giving never stops.” Murphy's list of volunteer activities in the community is extensive: Current president of Buying or Selling? I can help. See Jim for your auto sales needs! 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 J A N ELL E ARLEY , B ROKER Royal St Georges #24 – New construction in Wisteria at Sandpines. This proposed 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 1766 sqft home features vaulted ceilings, large great room, master bedroom with large walk-in-closet, den, cozy covered porch, and 2-car garage. $348,000. #2634-16594804 Dan Gilday Broker 541 554-1844 HIT THAT LIKE BUTTON! F ACEBOOK . COM /S IUSLAW N EWS 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 S TEVE E ARNSHAW , P RINCIPAL B ROKER assisting the band director, cre- ating and maintaining concert attire for the Siuslaw Middle School and ongoing fundrais- ing for the programs. Thomas F. “Sam” Spayd's positive attitude, friendly demeanor, ability to see needs and/or opportunities and act upon them for the betterment of others, tenacity and ability to bring in others to participate in causes and generosity in donat- ing his own time and personal funds to various community projects is what sets Spayd apart, according to Deb Lamb of the Rotary Club of Florence. Along with Rotary, Spayd's volunteering commitment can be seen in various organiza- tions throughout the communi- ty. He was the founding board president of the Oregon Coast Military Heritage Museum, where he was instrumental in getting the building up and run- ning, including traveling to several museums in multiple states to seek financial and logistical support. Since creating the local busi- ness AeroLegends Biplane Rides in 2004, Spayd has donated countless hours of rides to civic organizations like Kiwanis and the Siuslaw Alumni Association, and was instrumental in developing and implementing the Florence Air Academy of the Boys and Girls Club. He's been on the Seacoast Entertainment board of direc- tors since 2015, and is the com- mittee chair for the City of Florence Airport Advisory Committee. D ESIREE J OHNSON , B ROKER D ALE S AARI , P RINCIPAL B ROKER 541-745-9789 541-999-8410 541-999-2260 541-999-0511 janellearley@windermere.com steve@steveearnshaw.com desjohnson@windermere.com dale@fl orencere.com A LLAN M UIR , B ROKER L ORI M UIR , B ROKER V ANESSA W EST , B ROKER R OB S HEPHERD , P RINCIPAL B ROKER 541-991-7803 541-991-7421 541-999-9778 541-991-0607 vwest@windermere.com Mr.ListIt@gmail.com allanmuir@windermere.com L AURA W ILSON , B ROKER 541-449-0229 lwfl orencere@gmail.com lorimuir@windermere.com P HIL W ILSON , B ROKER 541-590-9246 Philwilsonrealtor1@yahoo.com Windermere Real Estate/Lane County 1625 12th Street, Florence, Oregon E LLIOTT W OOD , M ANAGING P RINCIPAL B ROKER 541-465-8123 ewood@windermere.com M ATT R. P OWELL , G ENERAL M ANAGER 541-465-8100 mattpowell@windermere.com 541-997-5926 windermere.com
