By Jodi Kerr
Stayton High School Kristina McDonald has always been tagged as a girl with a big heart.
She considers every opportunity a potential place to volunteer and lend a hand. McDonald grew up in Sublimity with three other siblings and her parents, Jodi and Tim Phillips and Jim McDonald.
“My parents have always given back to the community, so volunteering is a natural for me,” McDonald said.
“The importance of serving in the community is a family value that I take pride in,” McDonald said.
When McDonald was an eighth grader, her friend received the Future First Citizen award. “So, I was excited about it. I was glad to see that my efforts in the community have shown,” McDonald said.
Stacey White, counselor at Stayton High School, says McDonald is true to her volunteer convictions.
“From the day she started attending Stayton High School Kristina has been involved in many activities and clubs,” White said. McDonald’s freshman and sophomore years were highlighted by participating in volleyball, band, Key Club, Global Awareness Club and serving as a team leader for SHS’s February Month-of-Service. During her junior and senior years, McDonald has served in ASB as the community service co-chair.
“This position has allowed her to participate and lead many service activities throughout the school, including several blood drives, two canned food drives, and the annual February Month-of-Service. Kristina is constantly striving to learn from new experiences and expand her knowledge,” White said.
McDonald had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Papalote, Mexico, with Foothills Church. She spent a week doing manual labor and visiting with the local children. As a volunteer for the Santiam Youth Peer Court, McDonald spent several years in various leadership positions that increased her knowledge of the court and community service systems.
At SHS, McDonald is a member of National Honor Society, ASB, Breakfast Club, Global Awareness Club, and Project Unify Youth Activation Summit. Outside of the school setting, McDonald has spent many hours volunteering for the Sublimity Fire Hall, serving as a team captain for Relay for Life, and earning money for college as an employee of Big Town Hero.
“Peer court gave me an opportunity to advance my knowledge in the judicial system as well as giving back to the community,” McDonald said. “I was interested in helping the offenders get back on track by providing them with opportunities. I liked that we were able to provide them with something that can turn their lives around before a life-changing mistake is made.”
McDonald wants to break the “typical high school stereotype.”
“I think it is very important for high school students to find something that is important and get involved. We need to break down the barriers and the labels. I feel like society views us as lazy good-for-nothing kids,” McDonald said.
She plans on going to Oregon State University next year to study business management. “I want to open a bakery and help out financially with humanitarian efforts,” McDonald said.
