Born in Virginia, sophomore Caelyn Cade is no stranger to moving — having navigated through Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida before finally settling in Oregon. 

But here in Oregon, she values the friendly community she has found too much to want to move again, although she mentioned enjoying all the different places she’s lived in.

“I think just not really getting the chance to make a place for myself made me realize how lucky I am to have that now,” she said, adding how she could be more adaptable due to her experience.

Prior to attending La Salle, Cade went to elementary school in Kentucky but was in Oregon by middle school, where she attended St. Agatha Catholic School. Many of her family members had gone to La Salle in the past, making the decision to go near certain.

At La Salle, she finds enjoyment in the various athletic and academic activities that are offered.

In academics, two teachers for whom she has especially high praise are history teacher Mr. Michael Doran and Performing & Fine Arts Department Chair Ms. Cha Asokan.

She enjoys art class, specifically learning how to make ceramics, saying that “it’s nice to have a class where you don’t really have to think like that, you just have to kind of problem solve, and it’s kind of like a brain break.”

In other classes, Cade finds that both math and Spanish come fairly easily to her, though she finds some difficulty with the high workload English places on her.

She also plays for La Salle’s cross country and track and field teams, and she appreciates the community that sports bring. She also notes how competitive sports introduce you to people you can depend on in different ways.

In terms of hobbies, she used to really enjoy roller skating and still enjoys arts and crafts, crocheting, and “everything beauty related, I love hair and makeup and nails and all that stuff,” she said. “I’ll do it for my friends anytime they ask.”

Her music taste is quite broad; She is a self-described everything lover, but her preferred genres are country, R&B, and rock. One of her favorite albums is “Anti” by Rihanna, and one of her favorite songs is “Dosed” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Though Cade has six siblings, she is closest to her older sister on her mother’s side. 

A person of inspiration for Cade is her grandmother, who she says inspires her with her dedication, care, and faith. 

She also enjoys the annual Christmas Eve parties her grandmother hosts, where it seems like “the whole neighborhood is invited, and the whole family is involved,” she said.

Later in life, Cade would prefer to integrate herself into the heart of the city or retreat far into the quiet countryside, with no in between. “It’s really weird,” she said. “I don’t want a middle ground. I want either or, and I want them both equally.”

For her future career, Cade wants to pursue something where she can make a direct impact on someone’s life while still enjoying a comfortable salary, such as a pharmacist, psychologist, or pharmaceutical technician. 

Reflecting on the past, she would tell herself to “Give people grace,” she said. “Everybody makes mistakes, and the world will go on if you just forget.”