Super Kid: Sam Hogenson of Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy High School
Published 7:50 pm Sunday, January 17, 2010
Old friend: Senior Sam Hogenson has known many of his classmates at Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy High School since kindergarten at St. Mary Magdalen School. Both are Catholic schools in Everett. Sam says he’s enjoyed the continuity. “I know everybody and everybody knows me, so it’s easy to thrive.”
Putting away: Sam is on the Wildcat golf team. He learned to golf from his dad and grandpa. “I’ve played since I could walk and hold a club.”
First Tee: In middle school, Sam joined First Tee of Snohomish County, a program that pairs golf lessons with character-building exercises. He began volunteering with the program the following year and is now in his fifth year as a volunteer coach. He also serves on the board of directors.
To Sam, golf is a game of integrity. He enjoys passing its lessons on to others. “I like being the friend. I can look back and remember looking up to kids who seemed so old and so cool, so I like being that for the little kids.”
Fallen hero: University of Washington senior Nick Taylor is Sam’s new favorite golfer. He used to admire Tiger Woods, but he is disappointed by the megastar’s recent car crash and allegations of numerous extramarital affairs.
“For me it’s really devastating because he’s been my role model for so long — and to figure out this is what he’s really like … We’ll see how he deals with it. That will determine his future.”
BBQ master: Sam belongs to several school groups, including the recycling club and the barbecue club. The barbecue club tailgates before Wildcat football games. Sam flips hamburgers on the school’s grill.
Crunching data: Next year, Sam hopes to study informatics at the UW. His dad works in information technology for Nordstrom, and Sam wants to continue on that path, mapping databases and finding ways to explain them.
Majority leader: During a mock convention in advanced placement government and politics, Sam’s favorite class, he played the part of House majority leader. He didn’t know much about politics before taking the class but was so intrigued that he will no longer rule out the possibility of running for office someday.
Family guy: Sam loves going on trips to Spokane to visit his 13 cousins. “I’m the oldest boy. I get a good workout with all the little boys hanging off me, but it’s a lot of fun.” He is also close to his sisters, Sara, 20, and Anna, 15.
Surprise find: Sam’s favorite book is “The City of Ember,” a mystery by Jeanne DuPrau. “In seventh grade at St. Mary Magdalen, I was looking for a book in the library. My librarian handed it to me, and I thought, ‘There’s no way this is a good book.’ She forced me to check it out, and I started reading it and I loved it.”
Chasing thrills: Skiing is Sam’s favorite hobby. “I just love being out there and getting on top of a mountain and looking around and being like it’s just me and Mother Nature and we’re meshing. … The adrenaline rush of going down something steep is pretty awesome.”
Mood music Sam sings and plays the piano. His favorite groups are American pop and rock band OneRepublic and British alternative rock band Muse. He listens to OneRepublic when he’s feeling mellow and skis while listening to Muse on his iPod.
Kaitlin Manry, Herald Writer
