Sisters grad lives up to school honors

Jason Lake loves college -- and his Camp Sherman home.

Jason Lake, a Sisters High School 2000 graduate, left his Camp Sherman home for Northwestern University last year armed with scholarships from the Pine Needlers quilting group, the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department and the State of Oregon.

He also received $15,000 awarded by Northwestern University. These awards, after a distinguished student career at Sisters High School, launched Jason's college career.

Lake has done well at Northwestern as an astrophysics major. He has a 3.5 grade point average (out of 4.0).

"Most of the students were either valedictorians or salutatorians at their respective high schools," said Lake. "This is not an easy school for grades. You have to work hard for what you get and the students are really smart. You get to learn from everyone."

Northwestern is the only private school in the Big-10 list of schools according to Lake. With 7,800 students, the campus is located on Lake Michigan about 15 miles from Chicago. The student-body size makes it one of the smaller 'Big' schools among leading colleges.

It is often called the Harvard of the Midwest, although Jason jokingly states "I like to say Harvard is the Northwestern of the East."

Besides his schoolwork, Jason has participated in intramural sports including soccer, basketball and alternate Frisbee on the Evanston campus. He has been a Senator in student government and done charity work.

"We had a 36-hour dance marathon benefiting AIDS research," said the student. "Wow, you really feel tired and out of it after that type of ordeal."

He is also a member of the DeltaChi fraternity at Northwestern.

Asked which teacher he best remembers from Sisters High School, Jason thinks momentarily and selects Glen Herron.

"He was a real blast in class and kept you on your toes," he said.

Though he's enjoying his college experience, he's glad to spend time at home.

"I love it here in Camp Sherman," he said. "This is home and I get to see my friends."

Jason returns to Northwestern when classes begin on September 24.

"There is nowhere else I'd like to be for school," he said. "There is a good curriculum at Northwestern and I have found it to be a great school. It is also very well endowed with financial donations."

The recent death of a Northwestern football player leaves Jason saddened.

"I know some of the players and coach Randy Walker has goals listed on the locker room wall. The first is: Graduate. The second is: Graduate with honors."