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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