Freshman Rae Skeldon has called Oregon home for nearly a decade, but her story started miles away from the Pacific Northwest in Colorado.
At just five years old, Skeldon made the move to Oregon when her father’s sales job brought the family west. She was accompanied by her yellow Labrador, Max, a playful puppy gifted to her on her fourth birthday and a companion for the new chapter ahead.
After settling in on the West Coast, Skeldon enrolled at St. Ignatius School, where literature became a cornerstone of her education. Books played a key part of the curriculum, and in sixth grade, Skeldon’s love for reading blossomed with Lois Lowry’s dystopian classic “The Giver.” That early exposure sparked an interest in books, she said, that still gleams brightly today, particularly for science fiction and murder mysteries.
When it comes to school, English 1 is easily Skeldon’s favorite subject.
“I not only love the subject but also the teacher,” she said, speaking fondly of her class with English Department Chair Mr. Greg Larson. “I think part of it is because I’m good at it, but another part of it is because I genuinely just enjoy it.”
Skeldon’s interests aren’t confined to the classroom. She’s played volleyball since third grade, though it wasn’t until sixth grade when she joined club volleyball that her true passion for the sport took off.
“It’s the motivation of wanting to do better — knowing I can do better — and that just puts me in that spot to continue to try harder,” she said.
Beyond sports, Skeldon has a deep connection to music, with a range of tastes spanning from the ‘70s to current-day hits.
Her introduction to older music was sparked by the “Guardians of the Galaxy” soundtrack. “That’s what got me into it,” she said. “I kind of went from there and learned about all these other kinds of music.”
When she’s not on the court or at school, Skeldon enjoys winding down in the kitchen.
Baking is a family tradition, passed down from her aunt, who lives with Skeldon and her family. “She’s always baking something,” she said. “There’s always brownies or cookies — just the next good treat on the table.”
When her aunt isn’t around, Skeldon takes over, with her go-to recipe being a batch of chocolate chip cookies.
Skeldon also has a younger sister who is currently in third grade, attending St. Ignatius just as she did. Despite their age gap, Skeldon has noticed their bond growing stronger as her sister has matured.
This semester, Skeldon is focused on staying organized and keeping up with her assignments. “You have to stay on top of your work,” she said, reflecting on her year thus far. “If you don’t stay on top of your work, then you just dig yourself a big hole and it just goes crashing.” To stay on track, she plans to utilize a daily planner to help manage her responsibilities.
Entering high school has been a period of growth for her, not just academically, but personally.
With each new challenge, she’s learning how to navigate the demands of high school life, while also becoming a reliable source of support for her friends.
“I feel like I’m a more patient person,” she said. “I’m more calm than I was in middle school.”
