Weighing in at approximately 190 students, the class of 2023 for Marshfield High School is small but mighty. It’s not hard to find an array of amazing people, but there’s a few that have stood out from the rest.
Cesarea Haller is academically strong, taking numerous college level classes like trigonometry and college literature. Softball is another big part of her life, and is something she excels at. Haller is also a Key Club member and is very active throughout the community. She has helped clean up the MHS campus, planted flowers, and aided in setting up the benches seen in the front of the school. She’s a band kid too, and has experience in both the symphonic and pep band. Haller also helps out the middle school band. All around, Haller has shown herself to be an actively involved individual who supports all that she meets.
“If I had to describe Cesarea in three words, I would say artistic, honest, and direct,” said Zoe Smith, a friend of two years. She points out that while Haller is straight to the point, she is able to respectfully critique her fellow musicians. “Cesarea helped me become more comfortable in the school when I first started attending. I was able to get a little more grounded thanks to her support.”
Haller has won the Blake Crane Memorial Scholarship, the John W. Burles memorial scholarship, and the Al Powers Family Scholarship. She plans to attend Southwestern Oregon Community College for two years, from which she’ll receive her Associates of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree. This will lead her to the university of her choice where she’ll major in chemistry.
Star student Sienna Mahaffy has been active in both the National Honor Society, and the Science National Honor Society. Following her passion for agriculture, she is the president of two local 4-H clubs. She is also the captain of the MHS Equestrian Team, which Mahaffy is most proud of since she was able to recruit such a significant amount of athletes. This November, Mahaffy will be competing at 4-H nationals for horse judging. In the past, Mahaffy has won many 4-H awards. Her time at MHS has been marked with a handful of scholarships, from the Coos Garden Club Scholarship to the Oregon Dairy Women scholarship.
“Three words that describe her: bright, learner, determined,” said MHS science teacher Chelsey Seedborg. “Sienna has helped remind me as a teacher to maintain high standards in the classroom. She masters anything I set in front of her and shows a genuine love for learning.”
Other teachers praised Mahaffy for her integrity and diligence as a student. At Oklahoma State University, she will be pursuing a bachelor’s of animal science degree and looks forward to continuing her work in the agriculture industry.
Last but not least, Tori Cox’s career at MHS stands out above others. They play trombone in the jazz, symphonic, and pep bands and typically can be found during basketball games in the stands, leading the band in the fight song. Cox is also very active in the track and field scene, specifically throwing events. They have competed at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon twice–one of their greatest accomplishments. With MHS’ Z club, Cox has also won a scholarship, awarded to them by the Zonta Club of the Coos Bay Area.
“[They work] hard in the things [they] want to do and set a very good example, ” said Doug Miles, a MHS coach and teacher. “I think the way [they] treat people, [they’re] just such a special person.”
Cox received the Summit scholarship from U of O and plans to attend there. They aim to work in the animation industry with the help of their major in art and minor in music.
