Upper Columbia Academy graduate Alex Bauer has positive outlook
If there was ever a role model for the notion of paying it forward, Upper Columbia Academy senior Alex Bauer would be the guy.
“I do my best to be as happy as I can,” he said. “I say good morning to everybody. I like to see people smile; it makes me happy. I feel that if I’m friendly and show kindness to everyone, they’ll do the same for someone else.”
See?
It hasn’t been a bed of roses for Bauer, though. He was in elementary school when his father died from an allergic reaction. He and his older sister, who also attended UCA, have been raised by their mother, who lives in Eugene, Oregon. Alex boards at Upper Columbia.
His sister paved the way for him at UCA.
“She was looking for a place to go after elementary school, discovered UCA and its outstanding music and drama programs. We visited her often, so I became familiar with the campus and a few staff members,” Bauer said.
“But I had no idea what I was in for when I transferred there for my sophomore year. I knew I’d make friends, but I didn’t know what to expect. The first important thing that I found was that the staff is the nicest group of people I’ll ever meet. Whether it’s for homework or spiritual advice, I can go to them. They’re like stand-ins for my parents, but they’re also my friends.”
Bauer’s class at Emerald Christian Academy in Pleasant Hills, Oregon, where he attended his freshman year, had two students. And while Upper Columbia Academy is not a big school, it was big to Bauer.
“I knew everybody in my old school, and it took most of my sophomore year at UCA to get used to it. I was terrified, and I was the kid sitting there dead silent, hoping not to be called on.”
Things clicked for him the next year, though, and he says that his junior year was his best ever.
“I was more comfortable, and I learned that I could help other new kids who shared my experience. I knew how scary it could be, so I decided to try to help and encourage them.”
He also found his niche in the UCA choral program. His family was always involved in the performing arts, especially music, and he’d sung in the UCA choir during his sophomore year.
“I used to be afraid of singing by myself,” he said, “but I decided to try out for our select vocal group. I made it and we went on a couple tours, and it was a great experience.”
Next year, Bauer will be off to Walla Walla College, where he plans to major in communications. His career goals?
“I’d either like to be a radio host or – and I know that this is just a dream I have – I’d like to move to Denmark to work for Lego.”
On either score, don’t count him out.