Oliana Stange
This? This is one impressive young woman.
That’s the only thought you can take away after talking to Oliana Stange.
She may be young in years — turning 13 today — but she is way, way ahead of the curve when it comes to being smart as a whip, well-spoken, sensitive to others and multi-talented.
The offspring of two educators, CHS tennis guru Ken Stange and my former Miriam’s Espresso colleague, Ericka Cooley, Oliana lights up the world.
Give her a sport, whether it be basketball, track, or especially, tennis, and she will put her whole heart and soul into it.
But, it’s away from the various courts and ovals where she really shines, whether wailing in the band or excelling in the classroom.
And it’s more than that.
Go talk to your average 13-year-old and then go talk to Oliana.
There is a deepness there that exists in few people just hitting their teen years.
I certainly didn’t have it. Still don’t, but that’s another story for another time…
Anyway, back to the whiz kid who’s celebrating her Cake Day today.
During the march to protest the death of former Wolf athlete Keaton Farris in the Island County Jail, I spent some time talking to Oliana and came away even more impressed with her.
Already a veteran of standing up for causes she believes in — she has also marched against Monsanto — Miss Stange is growing up aware of her world and wanting to make a positive impact on it.
Part of that comes from her parents, old-school rabble rousers in the best sense of the words, but she’s not just mimicking them.
She is, even at this young age, finding causes she believes in and becoming passionate about them.
And yes, as we go forward, much of what I will write about her will revolve around how she does as an athlete (it is called Coupeville Sports for a reason), but I will call this now — Oliana is going to make big waves in whatever path she chooses in life.
The kid is smart, quietly feisty and destined for great things.
One day we’ll look up and see the heights she’s reached and, while we’ll marvel at them, we won’t be surprised, because she’s been headed that way all of her young life.
So, this is what I have to say to you, Oliana:
Be proud of yourself, because those around you are certainly proud of you. Be awesome, in whatever you do. Keep impressing all of us just by being yourself.
Happy birthday Miss Stange. You are truly the pride of the pack.
