Heros or Students?

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October 26, 2009 • written by Deena Merrill

Would you like 100 dollars for being yourself? Each month The Center Foundation accepts nominations for high school seniors who have a GPA of 3.5 and above, display a leadership in school activities and participate in recognizable community volunteer efforts. The Foundation Board reviews the nominations and selects a student to receive the monthly honor. Each High Desert Hero receives a $100 scholarship sponsored by Pepsi, a $25 gift certificate, and a medallion presented at their school. High Desert Heroes are also eligible to compete for the massive William K. Worrell $5,000 scholarship gifted by Connie Worrell-Druliner and Express Personnel.

For the months of September and October, seniors Kaitlyn Cockrum and Ashley Pennington from Bend High are being recognized by The Center Foundation as High Desert Heroes by the foundation Board of Directors.

Kate is on the Bend High culinary team and for the two consecutive years of 2008 and 2009, she has won the national championship awards in the Pro-Start Culinary competitions in San Diego, California. Because of her performance at the Pro-Start competition, Bend High School sponsored her trip to Chicago in May to the National Restaurant Show. In the spring of her freshman year Kate traveled to the Dream Center in Los Angeles to work with a homeless shelter in downtown L.A. She said that it was life changing. In addition to her commitments to culinary and her academics, Kate has helped Bend High win two state championships in soccer.

President of the Honor Society, Ashley Pennington has made a huge difference in the outreach programs that she is associated with. She has assisted with the Healthy Beginnings Program, Red Cross blood drive, Bethlehem Inn homeless shelter and the Jingle Bell Run. She also worked with the Salvation Army to put together gift bags for underprivileged families. She is a hard worker and extends herself beyond the requirements of a task.

With both Cockrum and Pennington striving for more, Bend High takes pride in students like these who go above and beyond in his or her lives. For those of you other hard-working seniors, keep up the effort because it could be you next month!