WAITSBURG-Waitsburg High School seniors Natalie Teal and Levi Boudrieau will be honored as Walla Walla Exchange Club Youths of the Month for November at a luncheon on December 5. The HS staff nominated the students for their academic excellence and service to the school and community.

Exchange Clubs across the nation are working together to strengthen our communities by supporting Americanism, service, youth activities, and child abuse prevention.

The Walla Walla Exchange Club program honors outstanding local students monthly, who are then for annual awards at the district level and later from the National Exchange Club.

The students submitted essays about the person they admire to the Exchange Club of Walla Walla. As honorees, they will read their essays at the luncheon attended by parents and a representative from the high school.

The essay Natalie Teal submitted was titled "To Her Whom I Admire."

About the person she admires, she wrote, "Friends since preschool at Waitsburg; Sarabeth McGowen gives herself wholly to the world with her timeless style and stunning personality. Her thoughtful mind and overflown heart are not to be taken for granted, for a friendship like hers rivals the rarity of a solar eclipse. In my eyes, she is the personification of a dream at no cost but a grin. Never was there a more priceless gift; never was there a greater true friend than Sarabeth."

Teal, an honor student, is the current ASB President, National Honor Society (NHS) secretary and Waitsburg School Board Student Representative. She plays in the school band and sings in the choir. In the community, Teal has volunteered at Vacation Bible school, the church nursery, and preparing cards and treat bags for Booker residents. Teal embraces the four pillars of NHS, scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Her position as an NHS officer is the one position she cherishes most. Her parents are Josh and Angie, and her siblings are Grant, Graycen, and Ellie.

Levi Boudrieau's essay is titled "I Call Him Papa'' (Joe Rhymes)

He wrote of Joe Rhymes, "He has impacted my life and everyone around me, he has steered me in a direction that leads to a successful future and is the reason I am going to join the criminal justice field. He has been more than just my grandfather, he has been my mentor, my teacher, my role model, and my best friend."

Boudrieau is the current NHS President, plays football and baseball, and is an FFA member. He has served as a class vice-president, volunteered during the flood with clean-up, and assisted at the Fall Festival in the Bruce Museum. Boudrieau's parents are Trevor and Sarah, and his siblings are Brandon and Colt.