Faces of MAC

A native Nebraskan, new MAC Court Supervisor Aaron Johnson grew up in the shadow of Chimney Rock and the pioneer stories of those heading to Oregon. After graduating from college in Sioux City, IA, where he wrestled, Johnson decided to head west and see why those early pioneers were heading to Oregon. “Pioneers were coming here because of the climate and soil. They heard you could grow anything here, and that’s been proven time and again,” Johnson says. “I prefer this climate to that of the Nebraska Panhandle. Below zero in winter and over one hundred in the summer is too much.” Johnson also has found that he could grow his career in Oregon, and having been here for more than a decade, he’s worked for a parks and recreation department, Special Olympics Oregon, and even the first winery in the Willamette Valley, Eyrie Vineyards. “They were the first winery to plant Pinot gris in the New World. I learned a lot at Eyrie that I believe will help me here. Most importantly, I learned not to judge a book by its cover. Some of the best customers showed up wearing athletic clothes and ratty shoes. A lot of times they were the most knowledgeable and bought the most wines. That meant everyone needed the same respect. I also learned we all have different tastes. Not everyone is going to like what I like and vice versa. Some people really like that buttery, rich California-style Chardonnay. Others, such as myself, prefer a dryer and lighter, more Burgundian or Oregon style.” “So far at MAC, I really like the variety of the job. It combines a lot of my previous experiences quite well: the programs of parks and rec, the sports of Special Olympics, and the hospitality of wine. My previous jobs were a little more narrow, and this is slightly more broad.” If Johnson isn’t at work, he’s probably enjoying all that Oregon has to offer with his wife and two dogs, or watching his favorite sports teams, especially the Cornhuskers.

Reba Booze, a 2021 MAC Scholar Athlete from Portland’s Benson Polytechnic High School, is part of the 2022 Portland Rose Festival Court. She is involved in Student Body Government, National Honors Society, the Diversity Club, Black Student Union, and Climate Team. Booze competes in volleyball, cheer, and track, and is among the PIL district’s top three athletes in the 100-meter hurdles. Being deeply and enthusiastically involved is an integral part Booze’s life. She says being a part of the annual tradition of the Rose Festival Court seemed like a perfect fit and a dream come true. Booze is passionate about community, meeting new people, and enjoying the opportunities around her. Rose Court is one of her current community efforts with its focus on promoting community outreach and volunteerism, networking, and mentoring opportunities while supporting the Rose Festival history and tradition. Booze serves as Benson’s student body executive secretary, is a member of the Student Athletic Leadership Team, and works as a guide at Camp Elso, an experience-based outdoor life science program. “One of my proudest moments in high school was being hired to spread awareness of Portland’s cultural environment through an intensive yearlong paid internship called Tappin’ Roots,” she states. “In my spare time, I enjoy being active in the outdoors and being in touch with nature. “I hope to develop new skills through practice and the guidance of those who are more knowledgeable and experienced. As a young person devoted to medicine and science, I would love to be among those who value relevant research in today’s society.” Destiny Rodriguez is getting ready for a summer of whirlwind travel plans — hopping from Madrid, Spain, to Fargo, North Dakota, to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Sofia, Bulgaria. This might seem like an odd itinerary for a teenager from West Linn, Oregon. Unless you consider Rodriguez is representing team U.S.A. at the World Wrestling Championship this summer as the reigning national champion in her weight class.

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FACES OF MAC

Continued from page 11 Destiny Rodriguez started wrestling when she was 6. While she always enjoyed the sport, she never took it as a serious athletic pursuit until a few years ago. Since then, she has excelled at the sport. A junior at West Linn High School, Rodriguez has won three state championships and made her second U.S. team winning the world team trials in Fort Worth, Texas, in May. “I am super excited to be going to worlds this year,” says Rodriguez. “I missed the team last year, and it was really upsetting. I have worked hard to win this year, and I was really happy to make the team again.” Rodriguez, and the nine other women on the U-20 team, start their summer in Madrid, where they will compete in an international grand prix tournament before stopping in Fargo, North Dakota, for a high school competition. Then it’s on to the Olympic Training Center, where the team will train together before leaving for Bulgaria, where the World Championship is set to start Aug. 15. “The thing I am looking forward to the most is being with the team,” says Rodriguez. “There are people from all over the U.S., and I really enjoy getting to know the girls. I make friends every time I get to travel.” For now, Rodriguez is working on finishing up her final online semester of her junior year. But you might see her around the MAC lifting weights or working on her recovery as she gets ready to take on the international competition. Rodriguez was selected as a MAC Scholar Athlete in 2021.

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