by Johanna Ziegler
Senior Hana Unruh is one of many from the Class of 2021 who views her time at Minarets as perfectly standard. “My high school experience was normal in my opinion,” says Unruh. “I had my extracurriculars and some friends. I made memories. Figured out what I don’t like and do love. But that’s what high school is all about, finding what you like to do.” And yet, during her time with Minarets, Unruh has accomplished something far above normal. Unruh has won two state championships with two separate teams.
In the same year.
A decorated member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter here at Minarets, Unruh has a passion for the natural world and competes on both the Forestry and Natural Resources teams. Last semester, both teams, featuring Unruh, took home coveted silver bowls at their respective state finals competitions as well as new 2020 state titles. “I am proud of winning state finals twice in one year,” says Unruh with pride. “It takes a lot to get to that point where you can say that you are the top dog in the subject.” Both competitions require detailed knowledge on the ins and outs of silviculture as well as the functions of air, soil, water, and their uses and conservation.
While these two FFA teams are Unruh’s primary focus outside of her schoolwork, she also enjoys reading, swimming, kayaking, hiking, and even axe-throwing. But another hobby, she explains, holds a special place in her heart because of how it’s helped her work through distance-learning. “...I’ve dealt with the pandemic...through painting,” she says. “When I’m painting it feels like the whole world melts away and there is nothing but me, the paint, and the canvas. No boundaries are set. No rules to follow. Just my imagination running free. It gives you the little freedom you need to still feel like you’re living.”
Unruh is influenced both by her personal interests and by external support. From her family, she learned strength and empathy. “My family taught me...to pick my fights wisely. They also taught me that most people deserve a second chance and to embrace being the good type of weird.” From her friends, she learned boldness and individuality. “My friends have influenced me to try and not be a completely boring human being. They give me that extra spice in my life that every person should try and have.” And from John Wayne, she learned respect.
Yes, John Wayne.
The Western film icon is one of Unruh’s favorite celebrities and has played an unusual, but important, role in shaping her mindset on life. “There is this scene where [Wayne’s] character [in McLintock] is talking...about how he is going to leave most of his property to the nation to make a park out of it so ‘no lumber will cut down all the trees for houses with leaky roofs, nobody will kill all the beaver for hats or boots or murder buffalo for ropes.’ As I watched more of his movies as I grew up I noticed the respect for the land or nature was a common occurrence shown in his characters,” says Unruh with admiration. “He didn’t take crap from anyone. He gave people respect until they proved they didn’t deserve it, and sometimes even then he still gave them respect.”
Now, years later, Unruh’s own respect for the land has shaped her career path. “I haven’t heard back from all my choices yet, but the dream is to go to Oregon State University and study natural resources. I’d like to become a forest, rangeland, wildlife ecologist. I want to study the world around me and learn how it works. I also would like to protect it so our future generations can enjoy it.”
Unruh has come a long way since her freshman year but still wishes she could have told her younger self to do some things differently. “I wish I could’ve tried to get out of my shell more. I think I would have been able to meet more people that way. Also, I’d tell [myself] to stop trying to be so intimidating. It doesn't pay off at all.”
With two state titles under her belt and an educated passion for nature, Unruh has much to look forward to in her future. She may view her time in high school as only average, but her destiny certainly won’t be.
Best of luck to you, Hana!
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