 | | SHELBY CASE/CENTRAL OREGONIAN | | Courtney Barnes has been recognized for her outstanding academic and extra-curricular achievements. |
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For the first time in school history, a Crook County High School senior has won the High Desert Hero award and scholarship, highlighting her academic and extracurricular activities.
Courtney Barnes was recognized during a CCHS assembly Thursday morning as a High Desert Hero. The award was first started in 2004.
The Center Foundation's High Desert Hero program is a scholarship program established to recognize outstanding seniors. Each month, one senior is selected as that month's hero. She was honored with a video profile on KFXO, a medallion, $100 mini-scholarship and a gift certificate to a local retailer. The Foundation is a nonprofit group based in Bend, and exists to help school-age youth in the areas of health, wellness and education in central Oregon.
At the end of the school year, she will compete for the William K. Worrell Scholarship. The winner will receive a college scholarship and be recognized at The Center Foundation's annual scholarship dinner. Participating schools this year include CCHS, Bend Senior High, Mountain View, Summit, La Pine, Redmond and Sisters.
"It was an honor for me to receive it," Barnes said. "I have never really known much about it, but that I was considered for it was an honor."
She found out the news at the end of September and was taped on television at the beginning of October.
Five CCHS staff members nominated her for the award, including Principal Jim Golden, Assistant Principal Brian Lemos, Robert Naegele, Jacquie McCabe and Ann Kaspberger.
Barnes commented on her academic achievements and her heavy involvement in student council and in the community.
She has a cumulative GPA of 3.947.
"I did a lot with the school," said the senior. "I've been involved with student council all four years as well as Key Club. And then my sophomore year, I was inducted into Honor Society, where I held the position for both (junior and senior) years."
Her freshman and sophomore years, she was class president. Last year, she was the ASB vice-president and this year, she is the ASB president.
Her involvement with student council started with her older sister, Chelsea, who had also been involved in student government.
"And my middle school teacher, Cathy Brock, was a big influence on my life," Barnes said.
"Through Key Club, we do a lot," Barnes said. "We are going to be trick or treating for UNICEF."
Addition-ally, on about May Day, May 1, and at Christmas time, Key Club members visit nursing homes and assisted living centers to give the elderly flowers and cards.
"And we just do other little things through the year that we're asked," she said.
Barnes said that because of Brock's influence and after attending the Oregon Association of Student Council conferences and summer camps, "I've just noticed my role within the lives of my peers and the influences I can have."
Barnes has not yet decided on which college she plans to attend, but she hopes to major in athletic training and then work as a physical therapist after that.
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