By Tabin Clary

February 2024

Jayden AnnaLeigh Owen, freshman, is the daughter of Crystal and Brandon Whetstine and Travis and Heather Owen. Jayden was born on May 27, 2009. She has nine siblings including seven brothers, Austin, Riley, Collin, Cameron, Jackson, Axel, and Xander, and two sisters Bella and Wren. She also has two dogs, Suzie, a golden retriever, and Lola, a husky,  and one cat named Chloe. Her favorite thing about her dogs is how much they cheer her up when she is sad. Jayden’s two favorite things about her cat is how soft it is and that she is the cat's favorite person. 

After high school Jayden would like to attend college at HCC or K-State to get her degree as a veterinarian. Why you might ask? Jayden said, “I love animals and especially working with them. Animals can always help someone that is upset or not doing well.”

Jayden participates in basketball, volleyball, track, and softball. Jayden’s favorite quote comes from her basketball coach Perry Smith, who said, “Don’t take the easy way when the hard way is right.”  Smith has been a coach for many years at Doniphan West and even won a state championship last year. Jayden has played all four sports since she was a little girl. Jayden’s favorite sport is either basketball or track. 

Jayden has a passion for reading, and her current favorite author is Colleen Hoover. Her role model has always been her mom. Jayden has a lot of pet peeves, and here are some of them: when people smack their lips with gum or food, when people purposely scratch their plate with a fork, nails on a chalkboard, and people who are annoying on purpose. 

Jayden said her biggest accomplishment is being a good student and being a leader to all her classmates. She is looking forward to this new year. Two things she is excited for is getting a new president and trying to be a better version of herself. Jayden plans to better herself by getting her homework done on time and staying focused on her class work.  One thing that really excites Jayden in school is to see and talk to all of her best friends.