By Kitty Burns, special to Mountain Valley News
When Ellen McKinney transferred to Cedaredge High School her junior year one of her worries was how she would adjust to a big school. “I know Cedaredge is small but it is so much bigger than Norwood. There were 13 kids in my class. I was scared, I’d lived in Norwood my whole life. But, everyone was so nice, I made friends the first day,” said McKinney.
McKinney credits the move to Cedaredge with having the biggest impact upon her life so far. “It made me step out of my shell. I was really shy and realized I was going to have to put myself out there being in a new school. The move was for the better, definitely. I have had more opportunities and it’s a better environment,“ explained McKinney.
Between both schools McKinney has participated in basketball, volleyball, student council, ASTRA and publications/yearbook. She is taking three college level classes this year. McKinney is proud of is making the varsity team in volleyball and being a starter. “Norwood is 1A and Cedaredge is 3A. I wasn’t a starter in Norwood, but was here and I feel like that was quite an accomplishment. I am proud of that,” said McKinney.
McKinney says volleyball made the move to Cedaredge easier because you are already a part of something. She added,“ Volleyball has taught me to get along and work well with others, to communicate and the team part - that you can’t do things by yourself you need other’s help - that is more than just in volleyball.”
Involvement in ASTRA, which is a youth volunteer organization sponsored by Altrusa Clubs, opened her eyes to needs in the community when the club helped at the food bank and collected canned goods. “I was really surprised at the number of people in the community that don’t have enough to eat. It is saddening and makes me want to help to try to fix it; it was a kind of wake up call,” said McKinney. Another special project was the senior prom for senior citizens. “It was fun. They were all dressed up and happy to be there. It was cute,” said McKinney.
McKinney hopes to attend Western Washington University and become an elementary school teacher. She is a teacher’s aide in the second grade classroom and had this to say about second graders: “They are awesome. They are silly and sweet and give great hugs. There is such innocence. It is refreshing.”
Jennifer Milburn teaches McKinney college anatomy. “ I’ve never heard Ellen say an unkind word. She has a good sense of humor and goes out of her way to do her best. She is one of those outstanding kids,” said Milburn.
McKinney is the daughter of Carl McKinney of Norwood and Lori McKinney of Cedaredge.
