Meet Mallory Ames.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: Currently, I am a high school student at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. I plan to further pursue my education at the University of Illinois, dual majoring in Agricultural Business and Agricultural Communications with a minor in Spanish.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Champaign-Urbana?
A: 18 Years.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Champaign-Urbana?
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Champaign-Urbana?
A: Mr. Marshall Schacht, my history teacher at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. Mr. Schacht and I have developed a fantastic relationship throughout high school and he has become one of my biggest role models. He always has a positive attitude and plenty of energy in class. He often goes out of his way to help students pursue their dreams and accomplish their goals. This year, Mr. Schacht alongside side our SRO Officer, Mr. Hallett, and students developed a “food pantry” of sorts in our school to support students who may need snacks, meals, or even clothes. As well, Mr. Schacht is the We The People Government Team coach! He helps students prepare to present hearings and answer questions about government. Overall, Mr. Schacht is a wonderful man who continues to put his family and students before himself!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would travel to Ireland. I would visit Ireland because of the beauty and kindness of the community. Discussing my dreams with friends who have had the opportunity to visit Ireland, they all agree that the community is one in a million, where everyone is friendly and lending a helping hand.
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
A: At this point in my life, I would remind everyone to live everyday like it is your last. As a senior in high school, I may have experienced my last day of high school without knowing that it was going to be my final day! It leaves the senior class with so many “what-ifs” about what the rest of senior year had in store for all of us.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: I would love to have the opportunity to travel to New York. Originally, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, my mom and I had planned to go to New York for a “senior trip.” We have discussed this idea for almost ten years, however due to the restrictions, we will not be able to pursue that trip.
Q: What current/former local business makes you nostalgic about Champaign-Urbana?
A: I would say Cheddar’s Restaurant made me nostalgic about Champaign-Urbana! The restaurant was a family favorite, and had many fantastic memories with my family and friends.
Q: What is something unique about Champaign-Urbana?
A: The University of Illinois is unique to Champaign-Urbana. It acts as a melting pot for the community, and brings people together from all over the world. It is also one of the greatest universities in the nation, and is my future home!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: In five years I will be graduating from the University of Illinois with a masters degree. In ten years, I hope to be married with my first child! I’m hoping that I have a baby boy first, whom I can name Braxton!
Q: (Even for friends and family) what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you ?
A: Most people don’t know that I have had the secret desire to learn how to show pigs for some time now! Being active in 4-H and FFA, I have been to my fair share of fairs. My family has lived in town for all of my life, so we have never had the opportunity to have pigs, however I hope to learn from friends in the near future. I would also like to show pigs because it has been a part of my family for many years. In fact, my parents met showing pigs!
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: Family, Friends, and Tradition.
Q: If you have a full time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?
A: I would have a Physical Fitness Trainer! I have always had the desire to workout and eat healthy, but have never known how to do so correctly. I am someone who can follow a plan very easily, and think having a personal trainer would allow me to do that!
Q: Over the past few weeks, where have you seen Champaign-Urbana “Stronger Together”?
A: One of the coolest things that has made me recognize the strength of this community has been during the stay-at-home order! A lot of friends and family members in St. Joseph have had birthdays during this time, and haven’t had the opportunity to celebrate with friends and families. A multitude of times, walking by the high school, I have seen lines of cars prepare to do a “drive by” with balloons and signs and make sure the people with birthdays know that people are thinking about them… even the fire trucks have been participating in this awesome idea!
