Eugene Chamber of Commerce

Geffen Pearlson, a senior at South Eugene High School, has been named Eugene’s Future First Citizen for 2009 by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year the Chamber honors six area high school students who have made outstanding contributions to the community and their respective schools.

As involved as Geffen has been on issues of community and international importance she also has worked on peer education, which she says has taught her “the value of respecting people from all different backgrounds.” Geffen’s volunteerism, and her gifts for language, have meant she has, as a high school student, given mightily back to her local community. Her college plans include study of international relations and conflict resolution in the hopes that she may continue that contribution on a larger level, working as a diplomat to engage world leaders and international communities in peaceful resolutions to international strife.

The other candidates for Future First Citizen were Moira Cary, Marist; Lindsey Swensen, Willamette; Amber Lengele, Churchill; Oresta Tolmach, Sheldon; and Lisa Hiura, North Eugene. All candidates will receive scholarships whose funds are given by past Eugene First Citizens and by KeyBank, sponsor of the chamber’s Celebration of Business 2010. The awards were presented at the chamber’s annual Celebration of Business on Wednesday, Jan. 20.