MARYSVILLE — Macy Scallan, 18, will graduate June 12 from Marysville Pilchuck High School, where for three years she’s been captain of the cheerleading team.
Question: What are the best and worst things about being a cheerleader?
Answer: The best is going to all those sporting events — football games, boys and girls basketball, wrestling. Our boys basketball team went to state in the Tacoma Dome. The worst is standing in the rain during football, and when not many people come to games. We do have sweat pants and fleece, but it’s not fun in the rain.
Q: You’re aiming for a career in education. Why did you decide on teaching?
A: I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I’ve been a Big Buddy at Kellogg Marsh, where I went to elementary school. Our cheer coach, Gayle Goudsward, works there and got me involved.
Q: What does it mean to be a Big Buddy?
A: We go up to the school one day a week. I had one girl for two years, when she was in kindergarten and first grade. I’ve had second and third-graders, too. Some kids need an extra person in their lives. We’d go on Fridays in the fall, when we’d wear our cheer outfits. They’d want to be cheerleaders.
Q: How else have you helped with Kellogg Marsh students?
A: I got to go to their fifth-grade outdoor camp. We went to Cedar Springs Camp when my sister Carly was in that class. She’s now a freshman here.
Q: What grade or subject do you plan to teach?
A: At first I thought about kindergarten. But I’ve been inspired by an English teacher here, Ms. (Amy) Armstrong. I’d like to teach English.
Q: How has Ms. Armstrong been an influence?
A: She’s a teacher I’ve liked the past few years. She makes an impact in our lives. We can talk to her. I want to have that kind of impact.
Q: Is there a book you’ve especially enjoyed?
A: “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. It’s nonfiction.
Q: Besides cheerleading, how have you been involved at school?
A: My best memories of high school will probably be ASB leadership. My freshman year I was co-president. Sophomore year I was ASB elections commissioner and junior year I was an ASB ambassador. I’d go to the school board meetings, one per quarter. I also worked on the big Interhigh leadership event.
Q: Do you have other siblings?
A: Yes, I have an older sister and a brother who’s 23.
Q: Where are you planning to go to college?
A: The University of Alabama. My sister Bailey has one more year there, she’ll be a senior at Alabama when I start. We’ll be together for one year. That will be really nice.
Q: How did you decide to go to the South?
A: We’re originally from Texas and have family in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. On family vacations, we’d drive from Texas to Destin, Florida, on the Gulf Coast. We’d go through Alabama.
Q: Have you visited the Alabama campus?
A: I’ve been there five or six times, to help my sister move in. I also considered the University of Arizona, Ole Miss (the University of Mississippi) and Tennessee. We’ve gone on all the tours. Tuscaloosa is like a true college town. We all fell in love with it.
Q: Tell me about your academics.
A: I have a 3.7 GPA. My sophomore year, I didn’t try as hard as I should have. I’ve taken a lot of College in the High School classes. I’ve taken AP U.S. history, AP composition, AP chemistry, AP statistics and Spanish 3. And this year I’m a TA in freshman English and pre-calculus. We correct papers. I’m also in the National Honor Society, and I tutored a boy this year.
Q: Any favorite classes?
A: I’m taking ceramics. We use a pottery wheel to make bowls, plates and mugs. And I made an elephant — that was hard.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: With my family. I like being home. I’m a homebody.
Q: You’ll be far from home in Tuscaloosa, but those school colors will look familiar. Alabama’s Crimson Tide scheme isn’t far from Marysville Pilchuck’s red, white and gold. Have you been to an Alabama football game?
A: Not this past year, but I did go to an Alabama game against Ole Miss.
Q: Have you had a job? And what are your summer plans?
A: My freshman and sophomore year, I refereed volleyball games. I played volleyball my freshman year. This summer I’ll have a real job. I’ll be working for a caterer, Trails End in Snohomish.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: In my own classroom teaching, and being an adult. These four years flew by.
Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.
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