LINN —Linn senior Natasha Jewell earned recognition as the Osage County Anti-Drug Community Action Team (OC-ADCAT) Student of the Month for March, in large part due to her dedication to her future.

“I was able to see firsthand what not to do,” said Jewell. “There was a lot of temptation, especially when I was growing up with everything I had happening in my life. It was very hard not to do it.”

Educational presentations at school bolstered Jewell’s decision to pursue a drug-free lifestyle through health classes and assemblies. She also took what Sheriff Mike Bonham taught to heart during her year in the Junior Deputy Program.

Additionally, she credits OC-ADCAT Executive Director Lorie Winslow for teaching the Too Good For Drugs class, and OC-ADCAT Education/Project Coordinator Jill Schaefer’s Teen Mental Health First Aid class.

“They do a great job here,” said Linn FFA Advisor Megan Niederhelm, who nominated Jewell along with fellow advisor Terry Shepherd. “The biggest reason I nominated her was because Natasha has been a go-getter for our FFA program and across the school. She’ll put her heart into anything and everything she sets her mind to because that’s just the kind of kid she is; it’s awesome. She is the kind of person who will show up every single day if you need her to — and even if you don’t need her to — she’ll show up and put forth 100%. That’s just the way Natasha is. You can see that on the basketball court, volleyball court, track, FFA, and any other clubs that she does.”

Shepherd echoed the sentiment. “I nominated Tasha because she has a don’t-quit attitude,” he said. “She is great to work with in the classroom, is very helpful, and a pleasure to have in class. Tasha is very active in FFA, athletics, and numerous other school activities. She’s a very reliable student — if she says she’s gonna help you and be at an activity, she’ll be there.   She is very active in the Jefferson City Jaycees, and helps run the Cole County Fair.”

High School Principal Erin Sassmann believes Jewell deserves to be the OC-ADCAT Student of the Month because she is a dedicated and hardworking student-athlete who leads by example. “Her involvement in numerous activities and sports makes her a role model for younger students, demonstrating the importance of commitment and perseverance,” Sassmann said. “Natasha holds herself to high standards and refuses to let anything, especially drugs and alcohol, stand in the way of her goals. With a strong determination to succeed, she is striving to earn a college opportunity for track — something made possible through her relentless dedication and work ethic.”

Jewell enters her final year in track this spring and has competed in volleyball and basketball throughout her high school career.

She’s the FFA treasurer this year and has served as the assistant historian and reporter.

“Natasha juggles sports across three seasons, but FFA is full-time across the board the whole school year, and she does a great job,” said Niederhelm.

Jewell also works weekends at Casper’s 66.

Being busy helps her maintain a drug-free stance, but she also has good friends who support her choices.

“They know where I stand, and they know my goals are more important than me than anything else,” Jewell said, adding she feels no peer pressure to attend parties or engage in otherwise potentially harmful activities. “It’s more beneficial to stay on the right path than go off and do drugs or alcohol because drugs will harm what you set your mind and goals to be in life.”

Sassmann said Jewell is an outstanding student who consistently demonstrates dedication and excellence in everything she does. “She works hard in class, always striving to do her best, and actively participates in many after-school activities and sports,” said Sassmann. “Beyond her academic and extracurricular achievements, Natasha is a kind and respectful individual who goes out of her way to help others. Her positive attitude and strong work ethic make her a valued member of the school community.”

Jewell has a 3.68 GPA and plans to attend college in Batesville, Ark., where she intends to run track and complete Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) training while pursuing a nursing degree.

OC-ADCAT Executive Director Lorie Winslow will present Jewell with a certificate, and she will be eligible to apply for the annual Student of the Month Scholarship.

“I am so excited to showcase our seniors who have chosen to live a drug- and alcohol-free life,” said OC-ADCAT Education Committee Chairperson Charlotte Bellsmith. “I know this isn’t an easy thing to do. The pressure on our teens to drink while still underage is still pretty severe.”

For more information about OC-ADCAT, visit https://www.ocadcat.org.