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Belpre teen marching confidently toward the future

Belpre teen enjoys challenges with art, robotics and band

BELPRE -- Claudia Church, 18, is a senior at Belpre High School. She has used her high school years making friends, growing her talents and achieving goals.

Academically, Church has set many goals for herself, some short term and others long term.

"As soon as I was old enough to understand what a valedictorian was, I decided that I was going to be ours… This year I will be achieving that goal," she said.

Church has a GPA of 4.39, is a member of Student Council and is president of the Nation Technical Honor Society.

She has taken many College Credit Plus Courses in High School, and will have her General Education requirements out of the way when starting college.

"I am glad I took the CCP classes, because they have helped me to figure out my future and will help to save me money in the long run," she said.

Her hobbies have included creating many forms of art, performing new music in the band on the xylophone and building robots.

"I wasn't really interested in robotics until this year," Church said.

Washington State Community College however offered a course at the beginning of the year called "Introduction into Engineering" which Church and few other friends decided to take.

"After that, with the help of our teacher, my friends and I started a robotics club for the school," she said. "It has been a lot of fun, and surprisingly building robots is a lot easier than one might expect."

Church took such an interest, that she has decided to attend Ohio State University, where she has been accepted into their honors program, and pursue an education in data analytics and possible double major with computer engineering.

"I would like to be a data engineer that works on building different systems following the completion of my education," she said.

While her education was definitely important to her, Church didn't forget to explore her talents and have some fun.

She has been a part of the marching band for all four years of high school.

"I really like the people I have met through band and how supportive everyone is," she said. "But I also enjoy the challenge of learning new pieces."

Church said that one of her favorites was a danse macabre that the band got to learn.

"I am so happy that this year we finally made it to the State Competitions, another goal of ours to cross off the list," she said.

While at school she focuses on percussion, at home she plays the piano too.

"If music is your passion, you should join the marching band," she said. "It is a great atmosphere and is both challenging and fun, especially during competitions."

Church said she has gained leadership skills and time management skills through marching band, and is so happy to have been able to participate all four years.

While she has gained many mentors over the year, two people stand out of the bunch.

"I have had two pretty amazing art teachers to help me grow my skills along the way," she said.

One of those teachers is Chad Stevens, who now teaches art at Belpre High School, but has also taught elementary students.

"I've had him as an art teacher for 10 years," she said.

Church said that it has been nice having a teacher that knows her well and has been able to help her over the years.

Her second teacher is her father.

"My dad (who has a degree in painting and photography) has supported me in art over the years. He helps me to improve and offers constructive criticism," she said.

While she has grown up drawing, is taking pottery and enjoying the local summer art programs, Church said her favorite art style is oil painting.

"But pottery is challenging and a lot of fun as well," she said.

Church drew a self portrait of herself at 6 years old with a lollipop that she said she was very proud of.

"My mom has kept a lot of my art work over the years -- some of them are really embarrassing -- But I love being able to look back and see how much I have improved and grown over the years."

Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com

At a glance:

• Claudia Church, 18, is a senior at Belpre High School.

• Church has a GPA of 4.39 is a member of Student Council, president of the Nation Technical Honor Society and valedictorian.

• She has taken many College Credit Plus Courses in High School, and will have her General Education requirements out of the way when starting college.

• She has decided to attend Ohio State University, where she has been accepted into their honors program, and pursue an education in data analytics and possible double major with computer engineering.

• Her hobbies have included creating many forms of art, performing new music in the band on the xylophone and building robots.