Class of 2022: Honoring Our Medallion Winners

The North Marion valedictorians include, from left to right, Joseph Martinez, Owen Alvord, Gage Hurst, Jaydan Sahlin, and Mackenzie Agnew. Photo courtesy of Jal Duncan Photography

By Jillian Daley

Every North Marion High School student has gone above and beyond during this pandemic era. 

Students who rose to the academic challenge, including the seven graduates who earned a valedictorian or salutatorian medallion: valedictorians Mackenzie Agnew, Owen Alvord, Gage Hurst, Joseph Martinez, and Jaydan Sahlin; and salutatorians Dominique Huapeo and Mallory Patzer.

According to Counseling Center Secretary/Registrar Sharleen Agnew, what these students achieved wasn’t simple. Valedictorians must have a 4.0 GPA from their freshman year to trimester 2 of their senior year and earn an Honors Diploma, which requires students to: 

• Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75 by the end of trimester 2 in their senior year;
• Complete at least 28 credits by the end of their senior year;
• Pass at least 10 credits from a list of honors classes; and
• Complete all other graduation requirements.

Agnew said salutatorians have heavy work too. Students also need to earn an Honors Diploma, and this honor goes to someone who has the next highest GPA, but two students tied for it this year. 

To learn more about the amazing achievements of our North Marion Class of 2022, please read the vignettes below of all seven valedictorians and salutatorians.

At left are the salutatorians, Dominique Huapeo, left, and Mallory Patzer, getting the appreciation they deserve during the commencement ceremony on June 10 at the Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin. Photo by Jillian Daley

 

 

 

 

Valedictorian  Mackenzie Agnew

Awards: North Marion Honors Diploma, Student of Merit (Health/PE)

Memberships: National Honor Society (NHS) President

Volunteer work: NHS (cemetery cleanup)

Work: Working as a phlebotomist

College: Portland Community College 

Major: Radiography 

Sports: Volleyball 

Could you please share your most important memories of your time at North Marion? 

“I would say I really enjoyed seeing my friends every day. It just made the whole experience more enjoyable.”

Who would you like to thank?

“I would like to thank my parents for pushing me and motivating me to do my best.”

Her mom, Sharleen Agnew, said: “My husband Brad and I are so proud of Mackenzie for earning the honor of valedictorian. All of her effort and hard work has paid off and we are excited to see Mackenzie give her speech at graduation.”

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Valedictorian Owen Alvord

Awards: North Marion Honors Diploma

Scholarships: Music Scholarship, Merit Scholarship for Jazz 

Memberships: NHS

Music instrument: Saxophone

Sports: Soccer, cross country, swimming, and track

College: Whitman College 

Major: Psychology 

Could you please share your most important memories of your time at North Marion?

“One of my most important memories was of Gage Hurst, Mackenzie Agnew, and I joining forces to do well in our college writing class. I’ll never forget how determined we were to succeed.”

His mom, Allissa Alvord, said: “Owen’s commitment to academics while a three-sport athlete, talented saxophone player, and a dedicated friend fills us with pride. We are so pleased he is well rounded and are amazed every day at his accomplishments. Love you Termite! — Mo and Po”

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Valedictorian Gage Hurst

Awards: North Marion Honors Diploma

Scholarships: Buz Tautfest Scholarship, Howard Giesy Scholarship, North Marion Booster Club Scholarship, Woodburn Kiwanis Scholarship

Musical instruments: Piano, trumpet, trombone

Memberships: NHS, ASB, FBLA Vice President

Sports: Tennis, soccer, swimming

Could you please tell me why you chose financial management in honor of your dad? “My interest in finance, financial management and business management started a couple of years ago when I joined FBLA. While learning about all these different careers related to business, I also started learning more about what my dad does. My dad has been my biggest role model because he has learned to work extremely hard and have extreme patience, but still is such a kind and caring person. He loves challenging himself and is always taking it upon himself to learn new skills and improve his mindset.”

College: Brigham Young University: I'm going to BYU because it is a faith-based college and because I have received a discount on tuition for completing my church’s seminary program.

Major: Financial Management/Business

Could you please share your most important memories of your time at North Marion? 

• “One of the biggest moments of my high school career was qualifying for tennis state my junior year because it had been my biggest goal since my freshman year. My coach, Alexa Powell, had taught me how to improve my mental aspect of the sport, and to see that pay off while all my family was there to support me was truly the most amazing experience of my life.
• I think one teacher that has been extremely memorable has been Ms. Strapp, who teaches Junior and Senior Math. I've never met a teacher who not only loves and is amazing at her job, but also shows so much interest and compassion for students and their lives. She is a treasure to our school and is just truly an amazing person. 
• One of my most memorable events from drama was helping prepare and run May Day my freshman year. I had an awesome time working with the performers and the other tech crew members, and it was one of the greatest performances that I have ever seen at North Marion.
• Another memory that was extremely significant was being a part of our soccer team when we placed first in our conference. Being a part of that team gave me a strong sense of brotherhood, it taught me how to keep pushing myself and to work well as a team.”

His mom, Maile Hurst, said: “I am so proud of Gage and all of his hard work and happy to see him honored in this way. He has been dedicated and conscientious in all that he does. He's an amazing young man.”

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Valedictorian Joseph Martinez

Awards: North Marion Honors Diploma, Student of Merit (Language Arts)

Memberships: NHS, FFA, GSA

Sport: Cross country

Music: Plays guitar

College: University of Oregon

Major: To be determined

Could you please share your most important memories of your time at North Marion? “Definitely going to state with the cross-country team that had been last season. The GSA was really good. I liked that and Ms. Strapp’s class. Those were some of my favorite memories.”

Anyone you appreciated and want to thank? “I was grateful to Mr. Rogers, just all the teachers.”

What his mom, Erika Martinez, thinks of his achievements: “We are just beyond proud. We have never doubted him. He is so bright. He is literally a genius. He’s a genius kid. He’s going to be accomplishing great things in life.”

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Valedictorian Jaydan Sahlin

Awards: North Marion Honors Diploma

Scholarships: Moore Family Scholarship, North Marion Alumni Business Scholarship 

Memberships: Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy, NHS

Sports: Volleyball, basketball, any sport or around the water 

Volunteer work: Participated in Aurora’s Little Miss Pioneer and participated in local parades. Volunteered at PGA Winco Open for three years. 

College: University of Arizona

Major: Finance

Could you please share your most important memories of your time at North Marion? 

“North Marion is such a special place to me since I have been attending for 15 years. I have made incredible friendships and memories that will last me a lifetime.”

Also, how do you feel about graduation? What's going through your mind?

“I have mixed emotions about graduation. As I’m full of excitement, I’m trying not to rush anything as I’m taking it all in and enjoying my last moments with some of my favorite people.”

Her father, Jason Sahlin, said: “We are so proud of the young woman she has become and look forward to seeing where she goes in the future. We feel blessed!”

Her mother, Dana Sahlin, said: “I feel the same as Jason. Jaydan is amazing and she has done this all on her own — we are truly blessed. Jaydan has gone to North Marion since preschool. We are grateful for her, for all her friends, parents, and NM staff. Jaydan is beautiful inside and out. We are both so proud of her and the person she is becoming.”

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Salutatorian Dominique Huapeo

Awards: North Marion Honors Diploma, Seal of Biliteracy, Key Club Stole, ASB Cord, NHS Cord, FBLA Cord, MEChA Cord, Business Pathway Cord

Memberships: ASB, Key Club, NHS, MEChA

Volunteer work: Key Club - Milburns, Cemetery Clean-up, Black Friday parking, Candy Grams, concessions, Read Across America; FBLA - Big Brother Big Sister; NHS - Vision screening; MEChA - Babysitting, Concessions 

Sports: Soccer, basketball, track

College: Chemeketa Community College 

Major: Something business related (not sure yet, maybe finance or accounting)

Could you please share your most important memories of your time at North Marion? 

“Some of my most important memories come from both sports and clubs. I would say a majority of them come from soccer. More memories would just have to be from showing school spirit whether that be dressing up for spirit week, having fun assemblies, or showing support for our teams in playoffs.”

Anyone you’d like to thank?

“I would like to thank my family for helping me succeed in school. More specifically, my parents. They have always pushed me to become the best version of myself and without their efforts I would not be where I am today. It means a lot to me because they came with nothing and have given me everything.”

Her mother, Esmeralda Huapeo, said: “It’s not a surprise to see her succeed, but I am very proud of all the accomplishments and achievements she has received along the way.”

Advice from her father, Javier Huapeo, for all the graduates included: “Don’t be afraid to find yourself at the bottom of the barrel, because from there the only way is up.”

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Salutatorian Mallory Patzer

Scholarships: Athletic Soccer Scholarship, Merit Academic Scholarship, Forming Relationships to Expand Diversity and Develop Youth (FREDDY) Initiative PGA 

Memberships: NHS, FBLA, Big Brother Big Sister

Sport: Soccer, basketball, golf

Volunteer work: Every Sunday working in Nursery and teaching grade school classes at Athey Creek Christian Fellowship 

College: Central Washington University

Major: “Aeronautical Engineering, but next year, I will major in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Aviation Studies, getting my pilot's license.” 

Could you please share your most important memories of your time at North Marion? 

“Growing up in North Marion, there has always been a huge sense of community. I'm grateful God put so much love and support in my life over the years.”

What her parents, Greg and Mallory Patzer said they think of her achievements: “We are extremely proud of Mallory! We are hopeful that the educational experience at North Marion has taught her what is necessary to continue her extraordinary success at the college level.”

To share stories on the North Marion School District, email Communications Specialist Jillian Daley at jillian.daley@nmarion.k12.or.us.