Ferndale High School senior Taryn Genger has quite the resume. She is an academic scholar athlete maintaining a 3.7 grade point average, and she has been active in over 30 organizations, activities and sports. She has received many awards and honors, and has given back to her community through a plethora of service projects. In addition, she has five part-time jobs.

Taryn's accomplishments were recognized by Ferndale Kiwanis when they awarded her this month's Student of the Month Award. During a luncheon held December 3, Taryn was able to share with Kiwanis members how she makes a difference in her school, her workplaces and her community at large.

Being a leader comes easily for Taryn. She has held board positions on the Associated Student Body beginning in middle school and continuing this year at Ferndale High School. As part of leadership teams, she has helped plan and carry out schoolwide activities. As a Link Crew member, she attended training workshops in the summer to assist with facilitating Freshman Orientation. Link Crew members are mentors to incoming freshmen. As an advanced leadership student, she and one other student were selected to serve as leadership mentors for the Leadership 1 classes. In this role, she plans and teaches leadership lessons to the class throughout the year, assisting the class instructors as needed, and serves as a role model for younger students. 

Taryn has been in more activities and sports than can be listed: Volleyball, Cheer, Tennis, DECA, Ski Bus, Blood Drive, Little Buddies, Guitar Hero Club, Young Americans, Homecoming Committee and more. 

In recognition of her efforts, she has been bestowed with many honors that include:

• Honor Roll 2016 to present
• National Honor Society 2017 to present
• Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association Scholar Athlete Award 2016 to present
• Ferndale High School Varsity Letter 2019, 2020
• Whatcom County Assistance League Summer Enrichment Scholarship Award 2016
• National Service Learning Conference Delegate 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota
• We.org Leadership Conference Delegate 2018 and We Day Delegate 2019
• Sportsmanship Forum Delegate 2019

Taryn's outpouring of service doesn't end at school. She has given countless volunteer hours to projects that mean so much to her: Chelsey Rae Ebert Basketball Tournament, Christ Lutheran Preschool, Cornwall at the Mall, Dollars for Scholars Dinner/Auction, Makayla's Street Jam, Eagleridge Dance/Carnival, Skookum Kids Daycare, Boys & Girls Club, Rebound and Ferndale Street Fair. 

She highlights her Skookum Kids Daycare Night, "Along with other students in my leadership class, I volunteered to hang out and play with children who are currently in foster care at an indoor playground run by Skookum Kids while their foster parents were able to have a night out," said Taryn. And, for the Chelsey Rae Ebert Basketball Tournament, she was responsible for getting over 100 volunteers to run the score clock and book, and she served at the tournament the entire time to ensure all positions were covered for this tournament in memory of former Ferndale High School student Chelsey Ebert.

Her part-time jobs consist of providing daycare at Christ Lutheran Preschool, childcare provider, working with puppies at Annie's Doodles, wedding reception server, house/pet sitting and scorekeeper/referee for Ferndale Schools.

Taryn says that although it is hard to pick one person, she believes the most influential person in her life is her sister, Maddie. "My sister has always been my best friend. Maddie set the standards for me as far as what being an outstanding student means. As a little kid, I watched her putting so much of her time into her community and school every day. Maddie also isn't afraid to be herself and that is one thing that I have always admired and tried to reflect," said Taryn.

Taryn's parents are Ted and Fran Genger. Ted is a teacher at Ferndale High School and Fran is a teacher at Vista Middle School. They may have something to do with Taryn planning to attend Washington State University beginning next fall to obtain an education degree. 

"I have always had a lot of leadership traits throughout my public education, and would like to do something in the future that utilizes them. I am currently planning on studying either education or childhood education. I have always had a passion for community service and helping others. I plan to continue to give back to the community during college and in my future career," said Taryn.

Congratulations, Taryn. Thank you for all that you do for your fellow students and for our community.

Thank you to Ferndale Kiwanis for its continued support of our students. In addition to annual scholarships, each month Kiwanis recognizes one of our high school students.