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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Jenna Nurge
By JoEllen Collins for The Weekly Sun
Wood River Valley native and Wood River High School junior Jenna Nurge has a 4.063 GPA, and has been a member of National Honor Society since 10th grade. Her favorite subjects are math and science, and she hopes to find a career directed toward a positive effect on society. She also takes an aggressive AP course load.
A member of the Sun Valley Nordic Ski Team, Jenna hopes to go to State this year in cross-country. She credits her success in this sport to the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s Nordic coaches.
“They are inspirational, helping me seek rewarding and fulfilling goals,” Jenna said.
She also competes in track and field, receiving a varsity letter in both her freshman and sophomore years.
“I get such pleasure from these sports,” Jenna said.
In addition to sports, she volunteers with the Wood River Land Trust and often visits the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley.
Jenna plans to job shadow with various people to help her decide on future college and career options. One of her areas of interest is in the medical field. In her personal life, Jenna has dealt with the serious illness of her grandmother, who suffers from multiple sclerosis.
“It’s difficult to watch someone you love go through this kind of struggle,” Jenna said. “But I am learning an important lesson: You need to use your days the best you can while you have them.”
Jenna also appreciates the proximity to nature that living here affords.
“I grew up enjoying the beauty of the mountains everywhere around me,” she said.
Jenna also treasures the friendliness of her neighbors and the strong sense of community in this small town.
“In fact, this has influenced my view about my eventual choice of college,” she said.
After a recent trip to Europe with her mother, Jenna realized that she’s not very comfortable in large cities.
“I think I’ll want to be in a smaller college where I can know people more closely than in a large university,” she said.
Each week, JoEllen Collins will be profiling a local high-school student. If you know someone you'd like to see featured, e-mail joellencollins1@gmail.com.