Editor’s note: This is the second story in a weeklong series on graduating seniors from Flathead Valley high schools.

Being an active high school student isn’t something McKenzie Hemp pursued to pad her resume´. Rather, it’s a matter of following biblical principles, she said.

“God tells us we should do everything to the best of our abilities,” the 18-year-old Stillwater Christian School senior said. “We’re representing Him.”

Walking in her Christian faith began at an early age for Hemp. She attended Trinity Lutheran School through sixth grade and has spent the last six years at Stillwater.

Hemp will give the senior testimony during Stillwater’s graduation ceremony on Friday, June 6.

Rhetoric has been her favorite class.

“I like the chance it gives you to speak your mind,” she said. “It’s nerve-racking but exciting.”

Hemp also loves to write, and wrote a guest editorial for the Daily Inter Lake’s Memorial Day edition last week.

Her high-school activities have been wide-ranging.

Hemp has been on Stillwater’s Student Council for the past four years, serving this year as vice president.

In the sports arena, soccer is Hemp’s favorite sport. She has played since kindergarten and will continue playing soccer when she attends Whitworth University in Spokane.

“My dad coaches at Stillwater and he’s been my coach a lot of years,” she said. “It’s been special to be able to do that with him.”

Hemp also has played basketball since middle school. She’s been a captain for both her basketball and soccer teams.

Alto saxophone was the instrument she chose for band way back when because “it was the only one I could get a noise out of,” she said with a laugh. “I like that I can feel musical in band.”

She’s a member of both the jazz and concert bands at Stillwater.

Extracurricular activities have not overshadowed Hemp’s academic accomplishments. Her grade-point average is 3.9 and she’s an active member of the National Honor Society.

“I work hard. I like to do my best,” she said. “My parents are my role models.”

Hemp is the daughter of J.R. and Julie Hemp.

She also credited a couple of teachers for her academic success. Sarah O’Rourke, the assistant varsity girls basketball coach and science teacher, has been one of Hemp’s mentors, and Hemp is a teacher’s assistant for O’Rourke this year.

“I’m not a science person, but she makes me love it,” she said. “She’s such a role model.”

Micah Tinkham has also been a pivotal teacher for Hemp.

“Mr. Tinkham has strengthened my faith and has given me the love of learning,” she said.

Hemp has spent the last quarter doing the research for her senior thesis for Tinkham’s senior seminar class. She didn’t back away from a controversial subject; the theme for her thesis was two-fold: Homosexual marriage should not be legalized in Montana, and homosexual marriage should not be sanctioned by the church.

Her Christian beliefs have shaped her life, though it’s not always easy to profess her faith.

“It’s hard to be able to stand up for what you believe in, but it’s important to do that,” she said.

Hemp will work at McGough & Co. this summer before heading off to college. She hasn’t picked out a major yet, though she’s interested in business and might like to be a guidance counselor.

“I’m excited about college and new experiences, and the thought that you’ll get better,” she said.

When asked where she sees herself in 10 years, Hemp didn’t put her finger on any one scenario and is leaving the door open for wherever life takes her.

“It’s exciting not knowing” exactly how things will turn out, she said.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.