Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (June 7, 2017)
Polk County Education 16A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 7, 2017 CLASS OF 2017 CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DALLAS HIGH SCHOOL Looking out for others Dodge quiet role model, inspires teachers, administrators By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer EMILY MENTZER/ Itemizer-Observer Dylan Lewis graduates from Central High School Saturday and plans to major in ed- ucation and vocal performance. His role model is Jeff Witt, Central’s theater teacher. Ready for next steps DALLAS — Cooper Dodge, a Dallas High School senior about to graduate Saturday, has a drive to help others — and often without it being recognized. “That’s one of the pieces that sticks in my mind with Cooper,” said Steve Spencer, DHS principal. “The school went through a difficult time not too long ago and I received one email from Cooper and it was specifi- cally just asking, ‘What can I do to help?’ He’s got that mind to look out for kids and find way to support and help them.” Dodge has played foot- ball, baseball and golf throughout his high school career, but his favorite activ- ity had nothing to do with competition. He excelled in the school’s leadership class. Dodge has been in the class since his freshman year. “I felt like I could have a say in the school and I could change it,” he explained of his interest in leadership. “I could be positive to other people and influence others. I wanted to be a role model to others.” This year, Dodge served as the senior class public rela- tions representative. “I’m able to connect to a lot of different people that I normally wouldn’t connect to outside of school,” he said of his role this year. “It’s nice getting to know other people and helping the school.” And students at other schools. Dodge was part of a group of high school students who mentored students at Whit- worth Elementary School. “Last year, we went over to Whitworth and we men- tored kids who were having a difficult time, and I felt like I had a decent impact on their lives because I was able to connect with them,” Dodge said. “I don’t think they had the greatest home life, so I was their role model. They were looking up to me and it was really re- assuring because I felt like I was doing something to benefit them.” Spencer said he’s known Dodge since he was playing youth football and remem- ber him as a student who was highly involved in his school and community. See DODGE, Page 15A Lewis challenges others to try new things in high school By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer INDEPENDENCE — On the last day of school for Central High School’s Class of 2017, Dylan Lewis looked content. “I’m sad about leaving the people, and sad about leaving the theater depart- ment and choir,” Lewis said. “I was in those for four years. It’s no different than the last football game for a senior. It’s bittersweet. I’m so glad it’s over, but sad to see it go.” Lewis is eager to begin his next steps at Oregon State University in the fall to double major in music education and vocal per- formance, with hopes to follow in the footsteps of Central’s theater and music teacher, Jeff Witt. He spent his first 13 years of education in and out of various schools, starting at Independence Elementary School, and spending some years at a charter school, a private school, and being home- schooled before heading back into the Central School District in eighth grade to finish up his sec- ondary education. Central has given him all the tools he needs to move on, Lewis said. “All the things I want to do, I learned the basics here,” he said. “It’s not putting a small fish in a big pond, it’s following a river path and making it to the huge open ocean. I’ve learned a lot here that will prepare me for the fu- ture.” Central schools have been more effective for Lewis than some of his other educational experi- ences. “At private school, if you’re smart, they can’t ac- commodate that because they’re smaller,” Lewis said, explaining that he was gift- ed in math at a younger age, but because his school couldn’t advance him, his mathematical brain dwin- dled. Looking back, Lewis said he’d wished he’d gone to more school events, and encourages his classmates and new freshmen to do just that. “They’re actually more fun than you think they’ll be,” he said. See LEWIS, Page 15A JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer Cooper Dodge has spent the last four years at Dallas High School quietly helping oth- ers. He’s headed to Oregon State University Cascades in Bend in the fall.
