Lowell School District -

Senior Spotlight: Ian Towne/Townsend
Ian is celebrating six years with the Lowell School District. During his time here, he has been an active participant in the Nerd Club.
When asked who he will miss the most after graduation, Ian candidly answered, "No one." However, he leaves behind a great appreciation for his favorite teacher, Mr. Winn, whom he thanks for always being understanding and consistently looking out for the best interest of his students. For the future students of Lowell, Ian offers some straightforward advice: "Just get your work done and over with."
Looking ahead to the next three to five years, Ian plans to secure a tattoo apprenticeship with the ultimate career aspiration of becoming a professional tattoo artist.

We could not be more proud of our outstanding Students of the Month! A big shout out the Harvey Pierzina, Kinsley Bazzani, and Ashlynn Anderson! Keep up the great work!

Senior Spotlight: Jennaya Harris
Jennaya Harris is celebrating a remarkable twelve-year journey with the Lowell School District, having grown up as a cherished part of our school community from the very beginning. Throughout her time at Lowell, Jennaya has explored diverse interests, contributing her talents to the school band for three years and bringing her enthusiasm to Nerd Club for a year. Looking back on her childhood and her time in the district, her absolute fondest memory is a beautiful personal milestone from when she was younger, spending sunny days playing with her older sister out at the lake.
As she reflects on the educators who shaped her path, Mr. DeCrane stands out as her favorite teacher because of his wonderful balance in the classroom—he always knows how to be fun and playful with his students yet seamlessly transitions to being serious whenever the subject matter demands it. When it comes to who she will miss the most, Ms. Miller holds a very special place in Jennaya's heart. Jennaya credits Ms. Miller for constantly pushing her to challenge herself and become a much stronger writer throughout her high school career. Before she leaves, Jennaya also wants to send a warm and heartfelt shout-out to Alanna, Heather, Ms. Miller, Mr. Ricci, and Mr. DeCrane as she says her final goodbyes.
Pulling from her long history at Lowell, Jennaya offers some wise words of advice for the students following in her footsteps: take your time and truly enjoy your moments at LHS before it is all over, because the real world is not going to wait for you.
Jennaya’s plans for the next three to five years show a dedicated commitment to helping the next generation. After graduation, she will head to Lane Community College to complete her foundational prerequisite courses in psychology. From there, she plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn her bachelor's degree, with the ultimate goal of working all the way through a master's degree program. Jennaya is channeling this academic path into a bright career aspiration, aiming to become a school counselor specifically dedicated to supporting kids from kindergarten through the sixth grade. Congratulations, Jennaya, and thank you for twelve wonderful years!

Senior Spotlight: Graycee Flesher
Since transferring her sophomore year, Graycee Flesher has spent three wonderful years making herself at home within the Lowell School District. She instantly dove into campus life, showcasing her school spirit and dedication as a member of the wrestling team and contributing her creative talents to ASB as a decorator for the school dances. Looking back at her time at Lowell, her absolute favorite memory is that very first week after transferring; the overwhelming warmth and welcome she received from everyone made her feel happy, safe, and instantly comfortable as a true part of the Lowell community.
Graycee counts two incredible educators as her favorites: Mr. Ricci and Mr. Yarbrough. She appreciates Mr. Ricci for always making his classes highly enjoyable and remarkably easy to understand, while Mr. Yarbrough earned a special place in her journey by turning his wood shop into a welcoming environment to learn valuable life lessons and freely express creativity. As she prepares to turn the page to her next chapter, Graycee shares that she is going to miss her best friend, Natalie, the absolute most. Because Natalie isn't graduating just yet, Graycee will deeply miss their daily lunches together, which she counts among some of her best high school memories.
While high school brought plenty of laughter, one hilarious moment stands out vividly from a bus ride home after a wrestling tournament. Someone decided to play a classic prank by sneaking a ketchup packet onto the end of the straw inside her water bottle. When Graycee took a drink, the unexpected surprise sent the entire bus into uncontrollable fits of laughter. Guided by her experiences, Graycee offers a strong, grounded piece of advice for future Lowell students: stay focused on your goals and don't let others get to you.
The future looks incredibly bright and stylish for Graycee over the next three to five years. After graduation, she plans to attend Northwest College School of Beauty to earn her professional licensing in hair and nails, a journey that will take about two years. During this time, she also plans to reach a major personal milestone by moving into her own place with her long-term boyfriend. By the five-year mark, Graycee aspires to be a fully licensed hairdresser and nail technician, working full-time in a salon of her very own. Congratulations, Graycee, and we can't wait to see your career flourish!

Senior Spotlight: Colton Dean Alexander
Colton Dean Alexander is wrapping up a memorable four-year journey with the Lowell School District, leaving behind a legacy filled with music, laughter, and great friendships. A talented and dedicated member of the school's performing arts community, Colton spent his high school years actively participating in both band and choir. When looking back at his favorite moments on campus, his 10th-grade science class stands out above the rest, purely because he got to spend it surrounded by all of his closest friends.
Among the faculty at Lowell, Mr. Ricci earned the title of Colton's favorite teacher. Colton appreciates him because he is incredibly chill and shares the exact same taste in music, making his classes a highlight of the day. As graduation approaches and he prepares to transition to the next chapter of his life, Colton admits that what he will miss the most is the simple, daily routine of hanging out with his good friend Marcus every single day at school. He also wants to send a huge, special shout-out and goodbye to both Marcus Annis and Wyatt Pelroy as they all prepare to head their separate ways.
High school provided plenty of funny moments, but one unforgettable memory stands out during a school assembly. It was a high-stakes tug-of-war match between the Sophomores and the Juniors—back when Colton was a Junior himself. The Junior class pulled with such immense, instantaneous force that they completely dominated the competition, sending the entire team flying backward onto the ground from the sheer momentum of their quick victory. Reflecting on his time throughout the halls, Colton offers a crucial piece of advice for incoming freshmen: lock in during your freshman year, because the choices you make early on can absolutely affect your future.
Colton has a clear, ambitious roadmap laid out for his next three to five years after walking across the graduation stage. He plans to enter the workforce immediately at Kiefer Mazda, starting out as a vehicle detailer with the goal of moving up to a service writer position within a year or so. Ultimately, Colton has his sights set high on leadership, aiming to work his way up the ranks to eventually become the manager of Kiefer Mazda. Congratulations, Colton, and we wish you the absolute best in your automotive career!

Senior Spotlight: Ayden Medart
Lowell School District proudly recognizes Ayden Medart, who has spent nine impactful years as part of the Lowell community. During his time at Lowell, Ayden was a student-athlete, representing the school through his participation in track.
When looking back at his journey, Ayden shares that his absolute best memory at Lowell is graduation itself, marking the proud culmination of all his hard work. While he notes there are no specific funny stories to highlight, his day-to-day experience was anchored by strong relationships. As he prepares to transition to his next chapter, Ayden shares that his friends are who he will miss the most.
Throughout his academic career, one educator stood out as a primary source of guidance. Ayden names Ray Yarbrough as his favorite teacher, fondly appreciating him because he always had a thoughtful answer ready, no matter how many dumb questions Ayden threw his way.
To the underclassmen and future students navigating their own high school paths, Ayden leaves behind a brief, encouraging piece of advice: You got it.
Ayden has a clear, practical plan mapped out for his immediate future. He plans to jump straight into working full-time and focusing heavily on saving his money. His ultimate career aspiration is to work as a lineman.
As he says goodbye to Lowell School District, Ayden wants to keep his final shout outs simple and close to his heart, sending a sincere farewell to all of his friends who made his school years meaningful.

Congratulations to Jax Norcutt on finishing third in State in the long jump with a jump of 21'5"! Jax initially tied for second place, however, due to tie-breaker rules, Jax recieved third place.

Senior Spotlight: Carter Harris
Celebrating five wonderful years with the Lowell School District, Carter Harris has truly made his mark on our community, both on the field and in the halls. A dedicated student-athlete, Carter has been a standout participant in football, baseball, and basketball throughout his high school career. His time at Lowell is defined by incredible achievements and lasting connections, with his absolute favorite memory being the thrilling experience of winning the football state championship in 2023, alongside the deep bonds he created with so many great people along the way.
Among the faculty who made a lasting impact on his journey, Mr. Ricci stands out as Carter’s favorite teacher. Carter appreciates him immensely because he always brings a positive attitude to the classroom, making him someone who is always easy to talk to. As he prepares to take his next steps, Carter admits he will dearly miss all of his close friends, as well as Mr. Cline, who improved his overall experiences in high school sports. Ms. Miller, along with Mr. Ricci, Mr. Cline, and the entirety of the football and baseball teams, all get a massive, heartfelt shout-out from Carter as he says his goodbyes.
High school wasn't just about hard work and sports for Carter; it was also filled with plenty of laughter. The single funniest moment of his high school career happened during a spirit week assembly, where a high-energy crab-walking race resulted in him flying full force straight into a whiteboard. Reflecting on his journey, Carter offers some golden advice for future Lowell students: turn your assignments in on time, make high school an incredibly fun experience, and never forget to make time for a good time.
Looking ahead to the next three to five years, Carter has a bright and busy future mapped out. He is heading to Willamette University, where he will continue his athletic career playing football while studying exercise science. His ultimate future career aspiration is to become a physical therapist, a path that perfectly blends his passion for sports and helping others. Congratulations, Carter, and best of luck at Willamette!

A fun filled assembly at Lowell Jr/Sr High School honored so many of our amazing students. Our newest ASB leaders addressed their constiuents. Aniah Watson, Brenten Davies, and Jax Norcutt were celebrated for qualifiying for the State Track Championships. The state track meet will be held this Thursday and Friday. The Red Devils Baseball Team moves one step farther on their road to state. The assembly wrapped up with a big send off for the baseball team from the student body, our fire department and the community as they head to Kennedy for a 4:30pm match up.

Red Devils Baseball won 2-1 and move on to play at Kennedy on Wednesday, May 27, at 4:30pm. Come out and support your Lowell Baseball Team!

Senior Spotlight: Amelia Cushman
Lowell School District is proud to highlight Amelia Cushman, who has spent seven wonderful years contributing to the district community. Amelia has been a cornerstone of the musical department during her time at Lowell, dedicating her time and talents to both the band and choir programs.
Reflecting on her high school journey, Amelia shares that her absolute favorite memory was the San Francisco music trip during her junior year. She found it incredibly interesting to explore Alcatraz and the rest of the city, thoroughly enjoyed all the food she tried, and deeply valued the opportunity to spend uninterrupted time creating memories with her friends. High school also brought plenty of lighthearted moments, with the funniest recurring highlight being the chance to watch Mr. Burch make hilarious faces whenever he gets mildly frustrated with the class.
As she prepares to graduate, Amelia notes that she will miss her teachers the most. She expresses a deep appreciation for how interesting they are as individuals and acknowledges a quiet sadness in knowing that she likely won't get to talk to them much after high school wraps up.
When asked about an educator who made a profound impact, Amelia points directly to Mr. Burch. Having known him since she was about six years old, she, like a lot of students at Lowell, appreciates how he has always pushed her to improve and do better. Virtually every positive memory she holds from her time at Lowell is connected to Mr. Burch and his classes, and she notes that she is truly going to miss seeing and learning from him every day.
For the students following in her footsteps, Amelia offers a piece of liberating advice. She shares that if you happen to have a big personality, you are always going to be considered too much for some people and emphasizes that it is entirely okay to be exactly who you are.
Amelia has clear and exciting goals mapped out for the next few years. Her immediate plans after graduation involve balancing work while attending Lane Community College. After completing her initial studies there, she plans to transfer to a four-year university to turn her passions into a career. She aspires to study botanical and entomological conservation, alongside ethnobotany.
Before turning the page to her next chapter, Amelia wants to extend a broad goodbye to all of her teachers who guided her along the way. She sends a special, heartfelt shout out to Mr. Burch, Ms. Miller, and Mr. Ricci, thanking them for being her absolute favorites throughout her school journey.

Senior Spotlight: Lily Savio
Lily Savio is celebrating a wonderful eleven-year journey with the Lowell School District, having grown up alongside her classmates as a core part of our community. Throughout her high school career, Lily has been an incredibly active and well-rounded student-athlete, contributing her energy and dedication to four different sports: soccer, wrestling, track, and volleyball. When reflecting on more than a decade in the district, Lily shares that her absolute best memories come down to the simple joy of seeing her friends every day and socializing in the halls between classes.
Lily holds a deep appreciation for the entire faculty at Lowell High School, noting that she can't pick just one favorite teacher because every single educator she had throughout her high school career taught her important and valuable life skills. As she prepares to graduate, Lily admits that leaving this tight-knit community won't be easy; she is going to deeply miss all of her teachers, as well as the many close friends she is leaving behind in the grades below her. Before she takes her next steps, she wants to send a massive, heartfelt shout-out and goodbye to a long list of special mentors and staff members who made an impact on her journey: Mr. Winn, Mrs. Cindy, Mrs. Cardwell, Mrs. Beckett, Mrs. Miller, Mr. DeCrane, Mr. Ricci, and Mrs. Buckley.
Having navigated the demands of being a multi-sport athlete and student, Lily has gained valuable perspective on how to succeed. She offers a highly practical and impactful piece of advice for future Lowell students: focus on being productive instead of procrastinating, as staying on top of your work makes all the difference.
Lily has a clear and inspiring vision for her life after graduation. Over the next three to five years, she plans to attend college to build the academic foundation necessary for her ultimate dream. Looking further down the road her future career aspiration is to become a licensed veterinarian. Congratulations, Lily, we are so proud of your achievements and wish you the best of luck in college and beyond!

Senior Spotlight: Matti Skordahl
Matti Skordahl is concluding an eventful and memorable four-year journey with the Lowell School District, leaving an impression as a dedicated athlete and spirited student. Throughout her high school career, Matti has been a fierce competitor on the court, actively participating in both volleyball and basketball. Looking back at her time at Lowell, her absolute favorite memory comes from her junior year, when the volleyball team traveled to Stanfield for the state playoffs—an adventure made unforgettable by a bizarre and hilarious incident involving a stranger loudly banging on their hotel room door.

Among the many faculty members who guided her, Mr. Steckler earned the title of Matti's favorite teacher. She appreciates him immensely because he always pushed her to achieve her absolute best, while constantly being the most encouraging and funniest educator in the building. As she prepares to cross the graduation stage, Matti admits she will miss her close friends Lexi and Zayah the most, and she wishes them the absolute best of luck in the three remaining high school years they have left ahead of them. Before she leaves, she wants to send a massive, grateful shout-out to her basketball and volleyball teams and coaches, as well as Miss B, Yarb, Mr. Cline, Mr. Steckler, Mr. Vaughn, and every single friend she made along the way.

Academics and sports kept her busy, but high school also brought plenty of laughter and unique situations. The absolute funniest thing that happened to Matti during her time in high school was the emotional moment she actually started crying tears of joy after receiving a highly anticipated "pickle kit" from Miss B. Reflecting on everything she has learned throughout her four years in the halls, Matti offers a powerful and resilient piece of advice for future Lowell students: don’t listen to others when they doubt you, and always follow your heart.

Matti has set a clear, highly focused, and courageous path for her next three to five years after graduation. She plans to join a law enforcement cadet program, where she will undergo the rigorous preparation necessary to enter the Police Academy. Looking further down the road, Matti is dedicated to public service and safety, with the ultimate future career aspiration of working her way up the ranks to become a detective. Congratulations, Matti, and we thank you for your dedication to the Lowell community as you pursue your dreams in law enforcement!

Senior Spotlight: Marley Plahn
Marley Plahn is closing out a wonderful four-year chapter with the Lowell School District, leaving behind a vibrant legacy of leadership, school spirit, and deep friendships. Marley has been an incredibly active and well-rounded member of the campus community, dedicating her time to athletics on both the basketball and softball teams, while also stepping into vital leadership roles in ASB and Link Crew to support her peers. When looking back at her time at Lowell, her absolute favorite memories are centered around school pride—specifically, the unforgettable energy of attending Friday night football games surrounded by all of her closest friends.
Throughout her high school journey, Mr. DeCrane earned the distinction of being Marley's favorite teacher. She appreciates him immensely because he went out of his way to ensure that every single student's voice was heard, consistently keeping his classes highly entertaining while fostering a fun, welcoming learning environment. As she prepares to transition into the next chapter of her life, Marley wants to make sure she sends a massive, heartfelt shout-out and goodbye to the special group of friends who made her years so meaningful: Maddison, Mattie, Mckenna, Kyla, Jade, Lexie, Zayah, and Mila.
While academics and leadership kept her busy, Marley’s high school experience was also filled with plenty of spontaneous laughter. The absolute funniest moment that stands out to her occurred during science class, when she, Mckenna, and Matti straightened their hair during class. Having successfully navigated her four years at Lowell, Marley offers a beautiful and welcoming piece of advice for future students: try to talk to someone new every single day and always keep yourself open and willing to make new friends.
Marley has a thrilling and focused path mapped out for her next three to five years after graduation. She is set to leave Oregon for the beautiful mountains of Montana, where she will attend Montana State University to study business. Congratulations, Marley, and we wish you the absolute best of luck as a Bobcat and in all your future business endeavors!

Lowell School District is honored to feature Alex Sotomayor in this senior spotlight. Alex is a lifelong member of the Red Devil community, having spent all thirteen years of his academic career within the district. Throughout his time at Lowell, he has been incredibly active in both athletics and the arts, participating in football, wrestling, basketball, baseball, band, and choir.

When reflecting on his favorite experiences, Alex points to the 2025 music trip as his best memory of high school. This appreciation for the music program is tied closely to his relationship with his favorite teacher, Mr. Burch. Having had Mr. Burch as an instructor every single year since kindergarten, Alex has developed a meaningful friendship with him. He credits Mr. Burch with influencing his exponential growth not only as a musician but as a person as well. While he prepares to move on to his next chapter, Alex shares that he will most miss Henry Coiner, who will be staying behind to finish his junior year.

High school provided Alex with plenty of laughs, though one memory stands above the rest as the most iconic. Known to those in his inner circle simply as the Wendy’s Incident, it remains the funniest moment of his high school career. For those students following in his footsteps, Alex offers the advice to take full advantage of every extracurricular activity available and to put in the necessary work to maintain high grades.

Alex has ambitious plans for the future. Following graduation, he intends to attend the University of Oregon to study biology. During his next few years, he also plans to obtain his EMT license and potentially pursue a paramedic license as well. These steps are all part of his long-term career aspiration to become a sports medicine doctor.
As he says his farewells, Alex wants to send a special shout out to his coaches, Raymond Yarborough, Alvin Riggs, and Pat Todd, for their guidance. He also extends his deepest gratitude to his parents, Julie and Steve Sotomayor, and his brothers, Ian, Nicky, and Eric, for their constant support throughout his journey.

Lowell School District is proud to recognize Akira Williamson for this senior spotlight. A true lifelong Red Devil, Akira has spent all thirteen years of her education within the district, during which time she has been a dedicated participant in both band and choir.
Looking back on her time at Lowell, Akira cherishes the travel opportunities provided by the music program. Her absolute favorite memory is going on the band and choir trips, with the San Francisco excursion standing out as a highlight.
When it comes to the educators who shaped her journey, Mr. Burch holds a very special place in her heart. Having been her teacher since she was five years old, he has made her school experience truly unforgettable. Akira shares that band and choir were the highlights of her day since the seventh grade, with choir serving as a necessary escape from the stresses of life. She credits Mr. Burch as the reason she looked forward to going to school every day. Consequently, he is the teacher she will miss the most, though she also notes she will deeply miss Mila, who made choir sessions and hotel stays on trips so much more enjoyable.
High school was also full of laughter, particularly during her junior year in Ms. Miller’s English class. While reading a short story, Ms. Miller mentioned the word legends, prompting Maddy P. to suddenly scream at the top of her lungs that this is how legends are made. The moment sparked a week-long laughing fit and became a cherished inside joke between the two friends.
For those following in her footsteps, Akira advises future students to prioritize having fun and making memories. While she believes in working hard, she reminds others that grades are not everything and should not encompass your entire high school experience.
Following graduation, Akira plans to take some time to explore her interests while moving into an apartment in the Springfield or Eugene area. While she intends to stay close to her family for now, she hopes to eventually move out of state. Her long-term career aspiration is to become an ocularist, a goal she looks forward to pursuing later in her life.
Before she departs, Akira wants to give a special shout out to McKenna for being a steadfast best friend through thick and thin. She also wishes to thank Ms. Miller for making English such an exciting subject, for her constant willingness to help, and for recommending the books that kept her passion for reading alive.

Senior Spotlight: Allison Oleman
Lowell School District is proud to feature Allison Oleman, who has spent twelve memorable years in the district. Throughout her time at Lowell, Allison has been highly involved in the musical community, participating actively in both choir and band.
Looking back at her journey, Allison shares that her favorite memory took place at the end of her sophomore year, a time when she spent every single day hanging out with her closest friends in the band room. High school also brought plenty of laughter, notably when a teacher tried to convince a whole class of high schoolers that gravity wasn’t real.
As graduation approaches, Allison reflects on the relationships that shaped her experience. She notes that she will miss her friends the most, specifically highlighting Mila, and expresses gratitude for the comforting daily routine of having a close friend right next to her to help get through the school day.
When asked about her academic inspirations, Allison emphasizes the impact of Ms. Miller. She explains that Ms. Miller has always been there to support her through school, noting that while the coursework may be difficult, it is intentionally designed to prepare students for the world. Allison also deeply appreciates that Ms. Miller provides a high level of guidance and support that perfectly matches the challenging work she assigns.
Based on her own experiences, Allison offers a valuable piece of advice for future students. She urges them to take college classes now, even if they do not want to. In her view, it is much easier to put the effort in during high school than to wait until you have to pay for those credits yourself.
The next chapter of Allison's life will take her to the University of Oregon, where she plans to study accounting. While she is still deciding whether she will pursue a bachelor's or a master's degree, her ultimate career goals are clear. She intends to work her way up the accounting world to establish a successful career, with the long-term goal of retiring early and comfortably.
Before she departs, Allison wants to send out a few special shout outs to the educators who made a difference in her life. She shares a heartfelt thank you to Ms. Miller for keeping her going with school until the very end, and extends another big thank you to Mr. Burch for providing so many fun and memorable times leading up to her graduation from choir.