The Newberg Graphic
| CSLA’s top grads headed to college | ||||
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| Valedictorian Shelby Zachary, salutatorian David Hite speak Saturday at graduation | ||||
C.S. Lewis Academy recognized two students at the top of their class. Shelby Zachary, 17, earned the title of valedictorian; David Hite, 18, was named salutatorian. There didn't seem to be any hard feelings between the two, as they even went to prom together as friends. "I am the oldest of four kids," Zachary said as a way of introducing herself. She was homeschooled until her sophomore year (her brothers and sister still are) and then decided she was ready to attend a brick and mortar school. But the McMinnville resident didn't want to go to the local public high school because of rumors of a rough student body. A small private Christian school, on the other hand, seemed a good transition. Still, Zachary was a little apprehensive, "I was afraid I wouldn't know what the other kids knew," she said. Instead, she found a welcoming community at CSLA. "I came during homecoming week. I felt really welcome." It might have helped that she only took one class at CSLA her sophomore year, studying under the leadership of tutors and her mother the remainder of the time. In the end all was well: "I never had any problems academically." This year Zachary focused on graduating. Her senior year was somewhat of a roller coaster experience as the school tallied her home school credits. The result is that as she was readying for her graduation ceremony Zachary was still in the process of applying at Western Oregon University. "I want to be a defense attorney for women. Being a woman, I like to fight for my kind," she said. Her uncle is an attorney and she said that growing up she found it exciting to hear him talk about his job. As part of graduation requirements CSLA students have to perform a job shadow. Zachary shadowed Circuit Court Judge John Collins and a defense attorneys. It only hardened her resolution to attend law school. Now her goal is not only to be accepted into law school but to head to Pepperdine University. "It would be pretty cool to get in that," she said. Hite has two passions: music and God. He plays guitar, base, saxophone (both alto and soprano), the flute, and sings as a tenor. When he's not practicing music he can be found studying his Bible. Headed to George Fox University, Hite said he will major in cinema/media communications and minor in music. While he's interested in biblical studies and music, he said his parents advised him to pursue a professional degree. And anyway, he said, the most influential pastors he has met never went to seminary. Hite plays different types of music with his instruments. "I like finger style on (the) guitar, also just rock," he said. He also likes to play acoustic worship music, which he depicts as "hippyish and simple." "I like approaching God and the Bible simply," he said. Citing I Corinthians, "God doesn't want us to complicate things." On the saxophone he likes to play older jazz music. He picked up the instrument because he wanted to play in a school band. The flute is an instrument he started playing after finding out how to build them out of plastic tubes. He said he had to learn so that he could make sure they were tuned properly before selling them as part of a school project. Hite is not only interested in playing music and crafting instruments, but also in music theory. He said he likes to learn how the notes relate to one another and writes some of his own music. "I am not very good at writing music," he said, "so I usually play other people's music." He chose to attend GFU because it's nearby and comfortable, he said. He's looking forward to it because he wants to meet new friends who share his interests. "I am really excited for college," he said. "I like approaching God and the Bible simply. God doesn't want us to complicate things." David Hite | ||||
