LINN — Linn senior Carson Shockley believes external sources are unnecessary to achieve happiness, and his commitment to living free of drugs and alcohol led to his selection as  December’s OC-ADCAT Student of the Month.

“Living a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle matters to me because it makes me feel fulfilled,” said Shockley. “This lifestyle shows that I don’t need any extra things to be happy in this world. All I need is to be here and to have my friends here with me. I don’t need any kind of drugs to feel fulfilled; I have the company of those around me, and I am happy to still be here.”

High school Language Arts teacher Sam Tramel nominated Shockley because he consistently performs at a high level in everything he does. “This is most immediately apparent in his demeanor and the way he treats others,” said Tramel. “Carson is kind to everyone and will do his best to try to make people smile. It is not uncommon to see Carson with baked goods that he shares with his peers, and he does this, as far as I can tell, simply to bring joy to others. Carson’s absence, on the rare occasion he is absent, is always apparent because he brings so much positivity wherever he goes.”

From a very young age, Shockley said, he’s been frequently exposed to tobacco. “My parents, Amber Heywood and Dustin Shockley, have smoked for as long as I can remember,” he noted. “It has always been an ever-present entity. Ever since I had the sense of smell, I have always hated the smell of cigarettes. The smell has been a minor factor compared to the actual effects. Since elementary school, it has been drilled into my head all the negative effects that smoking has on our systems. I have learned firsthand what it does. My aunt, Amy, died after her battle with breast cancer, caused by her nicotine addiction. This combined exposure therapy at a young age, as well as knowing what it does to the body, really helped me stray away from tobacco as a whole.”

Shockley said he hasn’t experienced much peer pressure. “I’m not exactly very popular at my school, so I don’t really get invited to what little parties may occur,” he said. “That being said, though, I’m gonna answer this question as a hypothetical. If someone invited me to that kind of party, I don’t believe I would even go. Parties like that just don’t seem interesting to me. I’d rather just stay at home by myself or talk with friends over the phone, not at someone’s house that I’ve barely ever met.”

Instead of pursuing such activities, Shockley is focused on schoolwork. “Carson is an outstanding student,” said Tramel. “His insightful comments and questions show that he is engaged and interested in learning for its own sake. Students who are only interested in getting a good grade do not ask the kinds of questions that Carson asks; he is motivated intrinsically, and that is clear to anyone who has him as a student.”

Shockley is also a true leader. “Leadership comes in many forms, and one form that can easily be overlooked is leading by example,” Tramel noted. “Carson is that type of leader. I am certain that, if you asked any of his peers about his integrity or academic ability, they would have nothing but good things to say. Carson achieves this reputation simply by doing the right thing and taking time to do things that other students won’t. You won’t find him in the middle of a crowd trying to motivate people verbally, but you will find him right in the front of the classroom, notebook and pen ready to be a great student. It is impossible for anyone to miss this kind of consistent behavior, and it is for these reasons that Carson is an exemplary quiet leader.”

His one extracurricular pleasure provides plenty of satisfaction. “The only club I really participate in is Drama Club, and boy, do I love it,” said Shockley. “I’ve been in it since my sophomore year, and I just fell in love with it. I felt nervous at first, having to learn every movement, line, all of it. However,  since I got over that initial fear, I have felt nothing but enjoyment with the club. I’ve always had a fascination with plays and musicals, and I plan to continue doing community theater.”

Speaking in front of large groups likely helped when Shockley presented his winning essay at the Veterans Day Assembly on Nov. 11. “Instead of just reading the essay he wrote, he took time to revise and take it seriously,” said Tramel. “He wanted to ensure that his speech honored the veterans. This decision, which to Carson was a non-negotiable decision, represented the students of Linn High School in a way that both he and his peers would be proud of — even if they aren’t willing to say it out loud. Carson also consistently takes the lead in the classroom. When a teacher asks a question, the worst feeling is when all the students just look at you. Carson doesn’t allow that to happen. He will look around, see that no one wants to answer, and then provide an answer. If you ask him, I’m sure he wouldn’t tell you that he wants to do that, but he understands the situations he is in and, again, always chooses to do the right thing. That is the best way to summarize Carson Shockley: he does the right thing.”

After high school, Shockley hopes to go into the education field. “I’ve seen firsthand the difference a good teacher makes in a student, and I want to be that difference,” he said. “I plan to go for secondary education, specifically in mathematics. As of right now, I am applying to colleges and applying for any scholarships that I can to help my financial situation. I understand the importance of preparing myself for the future, no matter how looming the future may seem.”

OC-ADCAT Executive Director Lorie Winslow will present a certificate to Shockley, who will be eligible to apply for the annual Student of the Month Scholarship. Winslow noted she was especially pleased to see him earn this recognition.

“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.