High Achieving Heron To Represent Middle Schoolers Across Oregon

 

Happy Valley Middle School's Evelyn Baatarsuren still remembers when she started dreaming about holding big leadership roles. And why not shoot for THE biggest role possible?

“I remember in third grade, I would tell my mom that I am going to become the first female President of the United States one day,” laughed the highly motivated Heron.

She may not work on homework projects in an oval office quite yet, but Baatarsuren recently took one step closer by becoming the only Oregon middle school student selected to serve on the 12-member Student Executive Council of the Oregon Association of Student Councils (OASC).

“I am so excited to collaborate with all of the fellow representatives, OASC’s President, and the directors,” Baatarsuren said with a big smile. “It’s going to be a great year!"

That great year will include Baatarsuren ensuring middle school student voices are represented in regional workshops, conferences, and membership outreach activities. The eager eighth grader's new position comes after a year of attending OSAC events and taking a lead role in a recent HVMS Student Council project, Taking a Stand for Respect, helping students take a stand against microaggressions. That project called for her to address the entire student body during an assembly for the first time.

“I never really took such an active speaking part before, and I found I can speak really well in front of a group!” Baatarsuren proudly exclaimed.

The thoughtful 13-year-old is excited to expand her newfound passion for student advocacy in her yearlong role with the OASC, and looks forward to attending conferences, planning events, and helping create more inclusive school environments for students.

“I think that there are many other student leaders who deserve this position, and I’m incredibly honored that it went to me,” said the humble appointee.

In addition to student council, the ambitious teen is also a member of the HVMS orchestra, and says her drive for success is inspired by her parents, who studied Calculus in Mongolia before immigrating to the United States as teenagers. She says her parents have worked tirelessly to provide a better life for her and her third grade brother. 

"A goal I'll probably have throughout my entire life is making my parents proud,” Baatarsuren said.“They've firmly established that even if I don't do as much as I want to do, even if I fall a little bit short of my dreams, they believe it's okay. They just want me to be happy.”

Mission accomplished so far for the Baatarsuren family, and who knows?  Maybe they'll be even prouder when President Baatarsuren takes office in 2048.