Faith shapes teen known for humility, composure

It only takes a few moments to recognize the serenity that characterizes Deer Park senior Stacia Obert. It takes a while longer to discern its source.

During the last four years at Deer Park High School, Obert has been a star both academically and athletically. Although she believes “I’m not generally the person who stands out the most,” her principal and two of her teachers would disagree.

Obert has earned a 3.9 grade-point average and lettered 12 times, four each in volleyball, basketball and track. She’s been an officer with the Science Club and participated in numerous activities with her church, including a variety of service projects.

Deer Park principal Joe Feist is a huge fan, saying Obert’s composure and humility stand out.

“What makes Stacia unique in my eyes,” he said, “is that she never makes excuses, and that no matter how difficult a situation is, she always makes the best of it. In the three years I’ve been here, I’ve never known her to complain about anything. In life, that’s a quality that will serve her well.”

Rick Otteson, who has taught Obert for three years in college-preparatory math classes, echoes that sentiment.

“With all her sports, activities and a tough academic load, Stacia just doesn’t get stressed out,” he said. “She just always seems so relaxed, so positive. Not many people can balance so many responsibilities so successfully.”

For Stacia, the explanation is simple – it’s her faith in action.

“I figure that God put me in everything I do, so there’s nothing I can’t handle,” she said. “I know there will be some detours, but I also know that through prayer and leaving my problems up to the Lord, things will work out the way they’re supposed to.

“I was raised in a Christian family,” she continued, “but my parents left it up to us kids to figure out what we wanted to do with that.”

And she’s done plenty, including projects that feed the homeless and visiting area nursing homes. Through Science Club, she has also been involved in tutoring elementary-school students, and that has only affirmed a career interest she’s had for a long time.

“I’ve had the idea since I was in fourth grade that I wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “Working with the kids on science projects has just kind of helped me be more sure of that. The way that the younger kids look up to you … I just want to be a part of helping them grow.”

She’ll begin the next phase of her journey next fall at Whitworth University, where she plans to major in elementary education with a special education endorsement. Although athletics have been a big part of her high school years, she’s not sure whether that’s in her future.

Kevin Oglesbee has been Obert’s basketball coach for three years at Deer Park, and he says he’ll miss her both on and off the court.

“Stacia just has a way of improving your perspective,” he said. “She’s got such a big heart, and it always makes me feel good when I see how she is around her family and working with younger players. She was a leader here even as a sophomore, and it seems that she’s always had a plan and even when things are difficult, she’s able to keep her goals in mind. That’s pretty impressive.”

As is pretty much everything about Stacia Obert.