Leading Ladies of CHS
As Women in History month comes to a close we are taking the time to celebrate some of the Leading Ladies at CHS who have made a positive impact in our school system.
Jen Boydston - CHS StuCo President
Extra-curricular involvement & leadership positions:
- Student Council President
- National Honor Society Member
- Refresh Student Ministries Leadership Team Member
- Native American Student Association Treasurer
- Oklahoma Indian Student Honor Society Member
- Red Army (Student Section) Leader
- Young Democrats Member
- National Association of Student Councils Conference Delegate
Q - Why is it important to get involved and make a difference in high school?
It is important to get involved in high school because you get to find so many friendships and even build relationships with teachers and the administration. By being involved, you also get so many opportunities to expand your knowledge and experiences, which will help you apply for college and your future in general. The best part of getting involved would have to be knowing that you are making a difference. You may not realize it, but from the events, you help put on to the awareness you’re bringing to a topic and everything else, people see you and your heart, which makes a difference!
Q - If you had to create a 140 character tweet to describe you what would it be?
I love the arts! Whether it be painting, making music, having a dance party, editing pictures and videos, or creating a fun outfit, I do it all!
Q - Who is a mentor or role model who inspired you & why?
The role model that inspired me and still does is my older sister, CJ Boydston. She is 22 and currently a senior at Northeastern State University. The reason that I admire her so much is because she is such a hard worker. When I got to high school, my sister had just graduated the year before, and let’s say she left quite the shoes to fill. She’s the person who taught me that working hard for my grades and getting involved is essential because they would help me out in the long run, and they certainly did. My sister has also taught me to pursue what I am passionate about and not to give up and instead trust God. She is a faithful servant of Christ and loves me unconditionally, and those are both things I try to reflect on as well!
Q - If you knew me better you’d know I …
If you knew me better, you would know I love to laugh, and I love people! Whether I’ve just met you, or we’ve known each other forever, you can always count on me to laugh with you! I’m a constant giggle box, and being goofy is something I’m pretty good at. I’m also such a social butterfly and getting to make new friends and relationships is something I enjoy so much! Ever since I knew what the word compassion was, it stuck with me, and I try to portray it as much as possible! I accept everyone for exactly who they are and I always try my hardest not to judge others. All I want is for others to feel welcomed in their own skin without feeling pressured to change!
Q - What are your dreams for your future?
My dreams for my future are to attend Northeastern State University or the University of Central Oklahoma and get a bachelor’s degree in business while also getting my real estate license! After college, I want to start a business or sell houses while raising my family!
Q - What legacy do you want to leave here at CHS?
The legacy I’d love to leave at Claremore High School is that it is okay to make mistakes and that it’s essential to make the best out of everything! Without making mistakes, we wouldn’t learn and grow and even facing the consequences will only make us stronger in the long run. I feel like it’s vital for other students who go to and come through CHS to know that there will be unfortunate things that happen in life. It’s okay to feel upset, but then you must pick yourself up and realize you can’t change the past and now all you can do is focus on the future and what you can do to make it better! Once you go through certain things, you can even help others who might be struggling with your own story!
Q - What do you love about Claremore Public Schools?
What I love about Claremore Public Schools is the family atmosphere. No matter where I go, whether it be one of the elementary schools, the junior high, or high school - I feel so welcomed, and it’s just the zebra bond! Throughout my fourteen years of being a part of Claremore Public Schools, our little community has been supportive of one another through so many events. Ever since I was little, I have had such excellent teachers and administrators who were so loving and were amazing role models. I know that if I were to come back in a couple of years, they would be so excited and intrigued to hear about what I’ve done, and I would feel the same!
Q - How long have you attended CPS & elementary school attended in the district?
I have attended Claremore Public Schools since Pre-K! I went to Westside Elementary, then Will Rogers Junior High School, and now I’m finishing up my 14th year at Claremore Public Schools at Claremore High School!
Q - Who has been the most influential teacher in your career and why?
The most influential teacher in my career has been Jamie Brace. There are so many good things I could say about her. She is a natural-born leader and knows how to get things done, all with a smile on her face, and that’s something I’ve always admired. She has also touched me that even though she has a busy schedule, she makes time to check on her students. Mrs. Brace has always been so honest and compassionate to me. Whether it be a test I struggled with, making college decisions, dealing with friendships and relationships, she is always there. I can’t put into words how grateful I am for her and all the fantastic things she’s done!
Q - What is your favorite piece of pop culture and why (book, movie, tv-show, podcast, band, social media influencer)?
My favorite part of pop culture is the social media influencer Emma Chamberlain. Through her Youtube channel and other social media outlets, she has continuously taught her followers that it is one hundred percent okay to be yourself and to embrace your flaws. She is such a huge role model for tons of girls like me out there regarding fashion, friendships, and just living a healthy life that you know you’ll enjoy. She’s taught me that putting others before me is great, but I also have to make sure that I’m taking care of myself! Her creative and spontaneous lifestyle is something I admire so much, and it definitely plays a role in the things I’m passionate about!
Q - What has it been like to lead through this pandemic?
Leading through this pandemic has been such a learning experience! You don’t realize how important social interaction is for others until you’re quarantined. Being isolated can take a real toll on people’s mental health. From quarantine to coming back to school, I tried as hard as I could to check up on my friends and just to show others that they are loved and important. I’ve also learned how necessary good communication and organization are whenever life throws you curveballs!
Q - How has attending school through a pandemic grown you positively as a person?
Going to school through a pandemic has grown me positively as a person because it’s taught me not to take things for granted. Once we got put into quarantine, I would always look back at all the fun things I got to do or would dwell on the things I didn’t get to do. Now it’s taught me to take what comes to me and make the absolute best out of it. From getting more free time during quarantine to do little activities I love, to doing schoolwork when I’m at school because I’m getting an education, there are so many things I didn’t appreciate then that I am now!
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE