Stillwater grad follows exhausting path

Editor's note: This is the second in a series recognizing talented graduates from the senior class of 2011. The Inter Lake has created its own "senior award" for each graduate.

By KRISTI ALBERTSON

The Daily Inter Lake

Just thinking about Linnea Hashley's schedule is exhausting.

For four years, the 18-year-old Stillwater Christian School senior has run a daunting race.

She competed in volleyball and basketball.

She played in the band and the jazz band.

She sang in the choir and the ensemble choir.

She was president of the school's chapter of National Honor Society and was student government secretary.

And, in case she was in danger of finding a few free minutes, Hashley also worked Sundays at ShopKo.

Hashley just laughs when she describes her jam-packed schedule and admits she had a secret to help her get through the long days.

"Caffeine," she said. "Definitely caffeine."

Busy-ness is a hallmark of Hashley's family. Her three younger brothers and younger sister have schedules nearly as crazy as hers.

One brother, who is an athlete and a band member, decided not to participate in choir "and it's a big deal because he's not," Hashley said.

But at a school as small as Stillwater Christian, the hectic schedule is manageable, she said. She was able to watch her younger siblings when their games were scheduled before hers. And the teachers are understanding of students with too much to do.

"They work around things, if you have to miss band rehearsal or something," Hashley said. "It all works out."

It helps that one of those understanding teachers is her father, Dana, who is Hashley's chemistry instructor.

"I'm not good at chemistry, and he thinks I should be good at it," Hashley said, laughing. "But I like having him as a teacher."

Her mother, Sissy, is a secretary at Easthaven Baptist, where the family attends church.

"Having my dad at school and my mom at church - they're always there, encouraging me," Hashley said.

She plans to stay busy throughout the summer, increasing her work hours to nearly full time and spending time swimming, water skiing and practicing the saxophone. If she finds some free time, she said she will hang out with her friends and maybe spend some time pursuing another passion: baking.

The secret to balancing so many activities is prioritizing, Hashley said.

"I try to make sure that the things that are most important to me get done," she said, adding that as a senior especially she "learned to focus on the big things and not worry about the little things."

Big things included major presentations for her senior seminar class.

Hashley had to give a 20-minute presentation and prepare for a subsequent 20-minute question session, in which she was bombarded by tough queries from her teacher. Hashley also had to write a 20-page paper for the class.

Getting those projects finished meant some things had to receive less attention. "Cleaning your room" is a little thing that might have to be sacrificed to accomplish the big picture, she said.

While some people can maintain busy schedules by not putting too much effort into any one activity, Hashley strives for excellence in all of them. She landed the lead alto saxophone position in Stillwater's jazz band as a sophomore and has held the position since.

"The lead alto position is one of the leaders of the whole ensemble," band director Matthew King said. "To have done that since she was a sophomore is a neat thing. She has really excelled in that role."

King described Hashley as an example to other students in band.

"Certainly ‘leader' is a word you would use to describe her participation in band," he said. "She plays things correctly. She helps other students get it by example and get it by instruction as well."

The entire senior class is particularly musical, he said, "and she's really kind of been a standout among that class."

Hashley will take her musical abilities with her this fall to Montana State University in Bozeman, where she has won a scholarship to play the saxophone.

While she hopes to play intramural sports in college, Hashley's schedule won't be as packed as it has been throughout high school. She said she is looking forward to having a bit of a break.

"I think I'll miss it sometimes, but it'll be nice to just have free time," she said.

Stillwater Christian School

Class size: 17

4.0 students: Anna George and Daniel Jentz

Graduation begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the high school gym.

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.