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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
December 27, 2007     Shelton Mason County Journal
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December 27, 2007
 
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High School Spotlight: Sam hams it up at school By REBECCA WELLS Family, church, school or just for fun: Performance shows up everywhere in Sam Densley's life. His family, which has a long his- tory in drama at Shelton High School, encouraged him to explore theater. "They've been doing it and I thought it was cool, so I started doing it, too," he said. His theatrical experiences be- gan in the musical Hello, Dolly! during his sophomore year, when he appeared in a bit part as a wait- er. Then last year, he took part in Night of Musical Theatre. He had already been singing tenor in Illusions, the high school's elite jazz choir, also since his soph- omore year. This year, he just ap- peared in the play You Can't Take It With You and is looking forward to stepping up as a co-director of Night of Musical Theatre, as well as the spring musical. THAT IS, of course, as long as he can fit it in with soccer and an Eagle Scout project. After having debated whether to play soccer or compete again on the track team, last year was his first year turn- ing out for soccer. He hadn't par- ticipated in sports for a couple of years. In the past, he played bas- ketball and hadn't enjoyed it very much, so soccer won. He made the junior-varsity team, playing midfield mostly. "It was like a learning experience last year, so they had me play all over the place," he recalls. Over the season, Sam found out he really likes soccer. "It's probably my new favorite sport," he says. "It's just really fun to play, fun to watch." Sam has fun learning cool tricks and practicing footwork with the ball. His Eagle Scout project, a task culminating years in Boy Scouts of America and earning him the top rank, will involve building a trail.. He will be supervising a team of volunteers who will build a section of a trail at Callanan Park, close to his home. "Callanan Park is where I grew up," he says. SAM HAD HEARD the City of Shelton plans to build a trail encircling the whole park, so he's offered to focus on a section of the planned trail. "There's a lot of stuff to clear out," he notes. How has Sam enjoyed being a scout? "It's a lot of fun," he says. "We learn cool things and I've been in it for a long time, so now all the younger kids look up to me as an example so it's important for me to make sure I do the right things so they don't think that scouts is just a place to goof off or anything." Co-directing Night of Musical Theatre will count towards Sam's cumulative senior project at Shel- ton High. While it's still in the planning stages, he's expecting it to involve a compilation of Broad- way and other musical numbers. Right now, he's mostly in charge of the technical aspect which has him overseeing the stage, lights and sound production. The son of Andrea and Jim Densley, he plays music with his siblings and sings in their church choir as part of a family tradition. He's also one of the leaders of the drum line section, performing per- cussion in the marching and con- cert bands of Shelton High. Sam says marching band did really well this year, winning first place at least once and qualify- ing for finals at all of their com- petitions except for one. Shelton High also earned two awards for best drum line and was recognized with best marching, best general WESTERN WASHIHGTON'S PARK MODEL HEADQUARTERS SAM DENSLEY PLAYS MUSIC, sports, sings and acts on stage. He's thinking about working either in graphic design or video production as a profession after graduation. effect and best color gmard awards for its division. SINCE MOST of the time Sam is at Highclimber games he's sporting a band uniform and sit- ting off to the side with his fellow band musicians, he decided to break free and go just to socialize for a change. After halftime, when the band left, Sam would stay at the Shelton football games and he even tray- eled to away games. Decked out in outrageous apparel complete with spiked shoulder pads and waving a pirate flag, he cheered on the play- ers. His school spirit drew so much attention that he was chosen as one of the fans to serve on a joint council with students from Capital High School to discuss overcoming school rivalries during the sports seasons. Outside of school, he plays guitar with a pop and rock band called Nameless Operation which also features his younger brother, James, and two of their friends. Sam has recorded a few solo piec- es as well as songs by the band on his computer and posted them online. He just finished his solo al- bum, featuring eight tracks, titled Pirates and Other Thoughts. Sam describes his own music as "acous- tic/surf style." He's tried surfing in Hawaii and likes "adrenaline- rush" outdoor activities such as camping, hiking,, rock climbing, riding mountain bikes down big hills and cruising on his skate- board. He wrote a song about the time he worked as a janitor for Gerb- ing's Heated Clothing in Union. The band, which just formed over the summer, has played at a battle of the bands, a high-school talent show and a few other venues, such as a birthday party and a church dance. Sam says he taught him- self to play guitar by watching the movie School of Rock and finding tabs for songs he wanted to play on the Internet. Sam also enjoys painting and sculpture and is thinking about studying design in college after he graduates from high school. Last year he got college credit for tak- ing English 101. His grade-point average has also earned him mem- bership into the local chapter of National Honor Society. If he does pursue design, Sam says he'd like to work on designing vehicles or forms of transportation. "IT'S SOMETHING that I've always just been interested in," he says. "I like cars, the design of cars. I don't really know about what's under the hood." As early as eighth grade, Sam won a contest for the best design of a car. He also used to sketch draw- ings of cars all the time. "I just doodle a lot with different ideas that are in my head," he says. In the ninth grade he took first place in an art competition for his clay sculpture painted with acryl- ics depicting a polar bear about to kill a seal. If he doesn't end up "selecting design, he's been consid- ering a career in video production, too. In this arena, he'd want to produce music videos. "I like mu- sic a lot," he explains. Sam plans to enroll at South Puget Sound Community College and take some classes there be- fore embarking on a two-year mis- sion through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After that, he'll decide on whether to at- tend Brigham Young University in Idaho or the Art Institute of Se- attle. For the time being, the art institute is his more likely because it has a strong program in graphic design. At the same time he would like to switch to Brigham Young if he changes his mind about career plans. "It just depends on how things play out," he says. Six acres of Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Toy Haulers, Truck Campers • Generous Financial Reimbursement • Ongoing Training & Education • Peer Hetworking • Medical Support • Enriching Family Experience • Personal Satisfaction of Helping Deserving Youth eRraND omaha What do you get as a CYS Foster Parent? Excellent Support Services : i: :: : t ¥ OUR GOAL: To support our foster parents 1 ensure successful placements For more information on becoming a foster Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at the Mason County Senior Activities Center at 826 West Railroad Avenue. The senior center hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center's tele- phone desk (426-7374) is closed for lunch from noon till 12:30 p.m. Adult lap swimming is set for 11:15 a.m. weekdays and noon on Saturday at the Shelton High School Pool. Friday, December 28 8:30-9 a.m., tai chi. 9-11 a.m., line dancing. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., sewing circle. 12:30 p.m., birthday celebra- tion. 5 p.m., hymn singing. Monday, December 31 8:30 a.m., tai chi class. 9 a.m., beginning line dancing. 10 a.m., line dancing. 12:45 p.m., pinochle. Tuesday, January 1 Closed New Year's Day. Wednesday, January 2 Foot care by appointment. 8:30 a.m., tai chi class. 9-10 a.m., line dancing. 12:30 p.m., game day: Po-Ke- No. 1 p.m., sit and be fit. Thursday, January 3 9-11 a.m., line dancing. 10:30 a.m.-noon, blood pres- sure. 1 p.m., bingo. High-school club collects clothes Shelton's chapter of DECA, a student marketing club, is looking out for those in need. Throughout the month of January members will be conducting a clothing drive. All donations will be donated to help families in need within this local community. Contributions may be brought to Room 845 or the office of Shelton High School at 3737 Shelton Springs Road. More information is available by calling Jane Mahony at 426-4471. Largest Selection of Affordable Vacation Homes tinder One Roof Starting at $29,995  C Many tloorplans and models available from Skyline, Athens, Woodland Park, Kropt and Vacation Sffuctures. Delive setup and on-site service available. lrmt lWl 360-692-1098 866-718-9990 11572 Clear Creek Road Silverdale, WA (Nex! TO CJer Creok Nu) www,clearcreekrvcenter, com parent, contact: SUSAN KIRCHOFF 360-789-4923 skirchoff @communityyouthservices.org www.communilyyouthservices.org II III Visitors Welcome! (360) 426-2600 900 West Alpine Way Shelton, WA 98584 00mWE RETIREMENT APARTMENTS, ] Beth JoKnston, R.N., Manager ASSISTED LIVING AND www.encorecommurdties.com ALZHEIMER'S SPECIAL CARE I I IIIII1! I I Thursday, December 27, 2007 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page 15 High School Spotlight: Sam hams it up at school By REBECCA WELLS Family, church, school or just for fun: Performance shows up everywhere in Sam Densley's life. His family, which has a long his- tory in drama at Shelton High School, encouraged him to explore theater. "They've been doing it and I thought it was cool, so I started doing it, too," he said. His theatrical experiences be- gan in the musical Hello, Dolly! during his sophomore year, when he appeared in a bit part as a wait- er. Then last year, he took part in Night of Musical Theatre. He had already been singing tenor in Illusions, the high school's elite jazz choir, also since his soph- omore year. This year, he just ap- peared in the play You Can't Take It With You and is looking forward to stepping up as a co-director of Night of Musical Theatre, as well as the spring musical. THAT IS, of course, as long as he can fit it in with soccer and an Eagle Scout project. After having debated whether to play soccer or compete again on the track team, last year was his first year turn- ing out for soccer. He hadn't par- ticipated in sports for a couple of years. In the past, he played bas- ketball and hadn't enjoyed it very much, so soccer won. He made the junior-varsity team, playing midfield mostly. "It was like a learning experience last year, so they had me play all over the place," he recalls. Over the season, Sam found out he really likes soccer. "It's probably my new favorite sport," he says. "It's just really fun to play, fun to watch." Sam has fun learning cool tricks and practicing footwork with the ball. His Eagle Scout project, a task culminating years in Boy Scouts of America and earning him the top rank, will involve building a trail.. He will be supervising a team of volunteers who will build a section of a trail at Callanan Park, close to his home. "Callanan Park is where I grew up," he says. SAM HAD HEARD the City of Shelton plans to build a trail encircling the whole park, so he's offered to focus on a section of the planned trail. "There's a lot of stuff to clear out," he notes. How has Sam enjoyed being a scout? "It's a lot of fun," he says. "We learn cool things and I've been in it for a long time, so now all the younger kids look up to me as an example so it's important for me to make sure I do the right things so they don't think that scouts is just a place to goof off or anything." Co-directing Night of Musical Theatre will count towards Sam's cumulative senior project at Shel- ton High. While it's still in the planning stages, he's expecting it to involve a compilation of Broad- way and other musical numbers. Right now, he's mostly in charge of the technical aspect which has him overseeing the stage, lights and sound production. The son of Andrea and Jim Densley, he plays music with his siblings and sings in their church choir as part of a family tradition. He's also one of the leaders of the drum line section, performing per- cussion in the marching and con- cert bands of Shelton High. Sam says marching band did really well this year, winning first place at least once and qualify- ing for finals at all of their com- petitions except for one. Shelton High also earned two awards for best drum line and was recognized with best marching, best general WESTERN WASHIHGTON'S PARK MODEL HEADQUARTERS SAM DENSLEY PLAYS MUSIC, sports, sings and acts on stage. He's thinking about working either in graphic design or video production as a profession after graduation. effect and best color gmard awards for its division. SINCE MOST of the time Sam is at Highclimber games he's sporting a band uniform and sit- ting off to the side with his fellow band musicians, he decided to break free and go just to socialize for a change. After halftime, when the band left, Sam would stay at the Shelton football games and he even tray- eled to away games. Decked out in outrageous apparel complete with spiked shoulder pads and waving a pirate flag, he cheered on the play- ers. His school spirit drew so much attention that he was chosen as one of the fans to serve on a joint council with students from Capital High School to discuss overcoming school rivalries during the sports seasons. Outside of school, he plays guitar with a pop and rock band called Nameless Operation which also features his younger brother, James, and two of their friends. Sam has recorded a few solo piec- es as well as songs by the band on his computer and posted them online. He just finished his solo al- bum, featuring eight tracks, titled Pirates and Other Thoughts. Sam describes his own music as "acous- tic/surf style." He's tried surfing in Hawaii and likes "adrenaline- rush" outdoor activities such as camping, hiking,, rock climbing, riding mountain bikes down big hills and cruising on his skate- board. He wrote a song about the time he worked as a janitor for Gerb- ing's Heated Clothing in Union. The band, which just formed over the summer, has played at a battle of the bands, a high-school talent show and a few other venues, such as a birthday party and a church dance. Sam says he taught him- self to play guitar by watching the movie School of Rock and finding tabs for songs he wanted to play on the Internet. Sam also enjoys painting and sculpture and is thinking about studying design in college after he graduates from high school. Last year he got college credit for tak- ing English 101. His grade-point average has also earned him mem- bership into the local chapter of National Honor Society. If he does pursue design, Sam says he'd like to work on designing vehicles or forms of transportation. "IT'S SOMETHING that I've always just been interested in," he says. "I like cars, the design of cars. I don't really know about what's under the hood." As early as eighth grade, Sam won a contest for the best design of a car. He also used to sketch draw- ings of cars all the time. "I just doodle a lot with different ideas that are in my head," he says. In the ninth grade he took first place in an art competition for his clay sculpture painted with acryl- ics depicting a polar bear about to kill a seal. If he doesn't end up "selecting design, he's been consid- ering a career in video production, too. In this arena, he'd want to produce music videos. "I like mu- sic a lot," he explains. Sam plans to enroll at South Puget Sound Community College and take some classes there be- fore embarking on a two-year mis- sion through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After that, he'll decide on whether to at- tend Brigham Young University in Idaho or the Art Institute of Se- attle. For the time being, the art institute is his more likely because it has a strong program in graphic design. At the same time he would like to switch to Brigham Young if he changes his mind about career plans. "It just depends on how things play out," he says. Six acres of Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Toy Haulers, Truck Campers • Generous Financial Reimbursement • Ongoing Training & Education • Peer Hetworking • Medical Support • Enriching Family Experience • Personal Satisfaction of Helping Deserving Youth eRraND omaha What do you get as a CYS Foster Parent? Excellent Support Services : i: :: : t ¥ OUR GOAL: To support our foster parents 1 ensure successful placements For more information on becoming a foster Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at the Mason County Senior Activities Center at 826 West Railroad Avenue. The senior center hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center's tele- phone desk (426-7374) is closed for lunch from noon till 12:30 p.m. Adult lap swimming is set for 11:15 a.m. weekdays and noon on Saturday at the Shelton High School Pool. Friday, December 28 8:30-9 a.m., tai chi. 9-11 a.m., line dancing. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., sewing circle. 12:30 p.m., birthday celebra- tion. 5 p.m., hymn singing. Monday, December 31 8:30 a.m., tai chi class. 9 a.m., beginning line dancing. 10 a.m., line dancing. 12:45 p.m., pinochle. Tuesday, January 1 Closed New Year's Day. Wednesday, January 2 Foot care by appointment. 8:30 a.m., tai chi class. 9-10 a.m., line dancing. 12:30 p.m., game day: Po-Ke- No. 1 p.m., sit and be fit. Thursday, January 3 9-11 a.m., line dancing. 10:30 a.m.-noon, blood pres- sure. 1 p.m., bingo. High-school club collects clothes Shelton's chapter of DECA, a student marketing club, is looking out for those in need. Throughout the month of January members will be conducting a clothing drive. All donations will be donated to help families in need within this local community. Contributions may be brought to Room 845 or the office of Shelton High School at 3737 Shelton Springs Road. More information is available by calling Jane Mahony at 426-4471. Largest Selection of Affordable Vacation Homes tinder One Roof Starting at $29,995  C Many tloorplans and models available from Skyline, Athens, Woodland Park, Kropt and Vacation Sffuctures. Delive setup and on-site service available. lrmt lWl 360-692-1098 866-718-9990 11572 Clear Creek Road Silverdale, WA (Nex! TO CJer Creok Nu) www,clearcreekrvcenter, com parent, contact: SUSAN KIRCHOFF 360-789-4923 skirchoff @communityyouthservices.org www.communilyyouthservices.org II III Visitors Welcome! (360) 426-2600 900 West Alpine Way Shelton, WA 98584 00mWE RETIREMENT APARTMENTS, ] Beth JoKnston, R.N., Manager ASSISTED LIVING AND www.encorecommurdties.com ALZHEIMER'S SPECIAL CARE I I IIIII1! I I Thursday, December 27, 2007 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page 15