Her parting words to fellow students during her valedictorian speech at Sandy High were instructive: “Allons-y, et merci!” Translated from the French: “Let’s go, and thanks!”

And she is gone, in a sense, thanks to her scholastic efforts. Her next stop is Linfield College in the fall.

After scorching through the curriculum with a perfect 4.0 GPA at Sandy High,
Mackensie Sempert, 18, was chosen as valedictorian of her senior class.

“It was truly an honor,” Sempert said. “I’ve always liked school. I like
learning.”

Her learning roots were nurtured in Welches Elementary and Middle School
where she was inspired by the Mountain teachers.

“I enjoyed all my Welches teachers,” she said. “They were so helpful and
knowledgeable and I enjoyed learning because of them. I experienced the
same thing in high school as well, especially with Mr. Wex, my oceanic science
teacher. He was always interesting and enthusiastic. But I’m a Welches kid,
through and through.”

In middle school she wrote a report in history class on the French city of
Marseilles, which prompted an affection for all things of a Franco nature.
“After that report I just got interested in France, the culture, the language,
the Eiffel Tower, everything.” she said. “So I continued with French language
classes in high school.”

She hasn’t been to France, yet, but don’t rule it out.

“Soon one day, maybe,” she said, unable to mask the excitement in her eyes.
“It’s one of my goals.”

Sempert also hinted at the fact that Linfield has a study abroad education
department.

“I plan on taking advantage of that,” she said, nodding her head vigorously.
Sempert will study English literature and creative writing at Linfield.

Besides her GPA, Sempert impressed the selection committee with her senior
portfolio which garnered national recognition.

Inspired by a desire to explore emotions in people, the portfolio included eight
pieces of artwork that ranged from pencil portraits and a watercolor self-
portrait.

Besides capturing the faculty scholarship and competitive French scholarship
from Linfield, Sempert also was offered six other scholarships from the
University of Oregon, Portland State University and Western Washington
University.

But after visiting all four schools, she chose Linfield.

“I just felt comfortable there,” she said. “It’s a smaller campus and has a
great feeling.”

In September, Linfield’s campus will get a bit larger with the arrival of a
Welches kid, “through and through.”