Student in the spotlight: Hazel Eschen

Photo courtesy of Parsons Photography

One of the most admirable, dependable, and impactful figures at Cascade High School is senior Hazel Eschen. Often looked up to by under classmen, Hazel’s impact as a student and a friend has made a lasting impact on the CHS community.  

Over her four years at Cascade, Hazel has taken one of the most difficult course loads possible and has still managed to maintain her 4.0 GPA.  

“The most difficult classes and the most helpful classes I have taken were UW Pre-Calc and EWU English 101. The pre-Calc class really shifted my perspective of math, and I realized its practical application in a way I had never really comprehended before. The English class solidified my writing style and taught me the importance of the writing process,” explained Eschen. She has taken multitude college in the high school classes, including UW pre-Calc, UW Calc 1 and 2, UW Chem, UW Astronomy, UW Planets, EWU English 3 and 4, CWU Physics, EWU Psychology, WVC Cultural Anthropology, and EWU World History.

Hazel’s dedication to hard work and learning has made her one of the most remarkable students at Cascade.  

“Hazel is, without a doubt, the hardest working person I know. Her grit and determination shine through in everything she does, and somehow she always has time to listen and support those around her," Mia Dries (12) said.

“Hazel is, without a doubt, the hardest working person I know. Her grit and determination shine through in everything she does, and somehow she always has time to listen and support those around her. We’ve been in almost every class together since we’ve been sophomores and she has helped me so much in and out of school. She’s one of my best friends and I’m so proud of her and everything she’s been able to achieve,” Mia Dries (12) said.   

Not only does Hazel excel in the classroom, but outside of the school as well. She has played tennis for four years and currently plays number one varsity doubles along with Harper Baker (12). She also skies downhill and Nordic in the winter and roller-skates with her friends in the spring and summer.  

Hazel cares deeply about her community and has spent countless hours volunteering. “I have been coaching the Plain Valley Nordic team for cross country skiing both in the summer and winter for the past three years. I also volunteer at various other events through the Sustainability Club such as the Earth Day fair in Leavenworth and other community clean ups with organizations like Trout Unlimited. I’ve also done other one-time events like the ICCA Benefits Bash my sophomore year,” said Eschen.  

She has been a 30 Minute to Win It leader for two years, where she gives monthly lessons to underclassmen about how to succeed in high school and beyond. She is currently the president of the Environmental Sustainability Club which she joined her freshman year and was secretary and treasurer her sophomore and junior years. She joined the Knowledge Bowl team her sophomore year.  

“One of my favorite memories was my freshman year when we built model towers with toothpicks and wood glue. At the end of the project, we placed weights on the towers to test how much weight they could successfully hold, and I really enjoyed the whole process through building the towers to watching them get smashed to pieces,” explained Eschen.  

After graduation, Hazel plans to study engineering with a minor in comparative literature at Princeton University. Cascade is proud to call Hazel an alumni and knows that she will make a great impact on the world.