Stayton Rotary Club has named Izak Schmidlkofer, Regis High School, and Mya Joyce, Stayton High School, as this year’s Future First Citizens.
“Stayton Area Rotary is excited and proud for this opportunity to honor Mya and Izak as Future First Citizens,” said Karen Andall, Rotary spokesperson. “Rotary values the objectives of service, high ethical standards, personal commitment to serve our community and fellowship. It is clear in knowing the accomplishments and attributes of these young persons that they have pursued and demonstrated these values. We congratulate them and wish the best in what are certain for both to be successful and rich futures as they move forward in their lives.”
Mya Joyce was shocked to be chosen.
“It is a tremendous honor,” she said. “I feel truly blessed to receive it. I have seen incredible students year after year be chosen for this award, and I cannot believe that I was considered worthy to be this year’s SHS recipient.”
Joyce said she has genuinely enjoyed her high school experience.
“I am very grateful to all of the students, teachers and administrators that have made the past four years ones to remember,” she said. “I have grown immensely during high school, and have learned a great deal about leadership, hard work, and myself as an individual. Stayton High School has become a part of who I am, and I know that the lessons I have learned will be ones that I carry with me through every step in my future.”
Joyce plans to attend Harvard University, focusing on pre-med with plans to become an ophthalmologist.
She is the SHS student body president and is involved in AceIt! Tutoring Club, also serving as president. She is the student representative to the North Santiam School District’s Board of Directors.
Other endeavors include varsity cheerleading captain, a member of the National Honors Society, and a member of the Eagle Athlete Leadership Team.
“My family has always been incredibly supportive of me, in everything I have ever done,” Joyce said. “They encourage me to be the best I can be and have taught me the value of hard work and kindness in life. My parents are my biggest role models, and I am forever grateful to them for all that they have inspired me to do and have taught me over the last 17 years. I would not be where I am today or the person I am today if it weren’t for my family.”
Izak Schmidlkofer was equally surprised.
“Receiving this award humbles me,” he said. “It is a true honor. There are so many deserving people who contribute extensive time and resources to our community. What I have done in high school would not have been possible without the people who have supported me.”
Schmidlkofer spent a lot of time during his high school years doing volunteer work. Currently, he works full-time at Stayton Veterinary Hospital while finishing high school.
“I recently finished my Eagle Scout project,” he said. “I also germinated pine and fir seedlings to help replant the Santiam Canyon.”
Volunteering, he said, helped him realize how important service is to him.
“I also took challenging classes in high school to prepare me academically for college,” Schmidlkofer said. “The people I have met and worked with continue to inspire me.”
Schmidlkofer plans to attend the University of Notre Dame to major in English and computer science. After college, he hopes to find a career working with disadvantaged people.
Schmidlkofer credits his parents with instilling in him the importance of hard work and integrity in life.
“They have supported me in everything I have pursued, from arts and athletics to Scouting,” he said. “My parents both value education.”
