Clausen shows excitement for two years on LEAP committee

Jul. 13, WARDEN, Soren Clausen was announced as part of the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association's Leadership through Education Activities and Personal Development Committee Class of 2028 on Monday. Clausen said this opportunity has him excited to put his best foot forward in his new position.

"In my next two years on the LEAP Committee, I hope to provide a new point of view, being from a small town and school like Warden," he said. "I'm actually the first student from Warden High School to serve on the Committee since it began in 2009. Having such a small and close-knit school is really helpful because it is easy to talk to and get feedback from a lot of students and parents who are affected by decisions of the WIAA."

His journey to becoming part of the LEAP committee began when the Warden Athletic Director Grag Lucas encouraged Clausen to apply for the position. Clausen said the support from Lucas and his ASB Advisor Prisma Corrales motivated him to pursue the opportunity.

He said both Lucas and Corrales believed he would make a strong team member if he was selected. After doing some of his own research into the committee, Clausen realized that he aligned well with the program's ideals and principles.

The application process came in three parts as he had to fill out a couple of essay questions, submit a letter of recommendation and create a personal video on himself. Working on this video proved to be one of the most unique parts of this experience, he said.

"I recruited my friends, Ella and LJ, to help me film and edit my video because I wanted it to be the most accurate representation of myself," he said. "We had a lot of fun making it. After it was posted on YouTube, getting to show the video to all my family and friends was the best part."

After submitting his video application for the LEAP Committee, Clausen said he was initially nervous. He was set up for a Zoom call with the WIAA, but what he didn't know was that call was to inform him that his application was accepted.

"Once I was on the Zoom, I was told the call was actually to tell me that I was selected, and they even played the song 9-5 by Dolly Parton for me, which was the music in my application video," said Clausen. "I felt relieved and grateful that my hard work had paid off, and that they saw me as one of the best candidates to represent Washington student athletes."

Clausen said his own athletic career started at home where he comes from a family of athletes. His mother, who grew up in Vancouver, played sports her whole life and went to state twice in softball and Clausen also grew up watching his older cousins play basketball, volleyball, softball, football and many others.

"I've been surrounded by sports from a young age," he said.

Clausen's high school athletic journey started in his freshman year where he ran cross country in the fall, played club volleyball with CBElite in Moses Lake during the winter and played golf in the spring. Though recognizable from his time in cross country and golf, he said his favorite sport has grown to be volleyball over the years.

Prior to joining CBElite, Clausen said he had very little experience with the sport outside of backyard volleyball with his cousins. Through the Moses Lake program, he found an entire new passion.

"I've had great coaches and mentors who have developed my knowledge of the game, and I really enjoy the small successes volleyball can give you throughout a tournament," he said.

Through everything he said what keeps him inspired to continue his athletic career is his support system.

"I'm privileged to have a tight group of people, from family members and close friends to mentors and coaches, all motivating, encouraging and fighting for me to do my best on the course court and greens," said Clausen.

As he heads into his junior and senior years of high school, the young athlete said he wants to see himself improve in each of his athletic and academic endeavors. The addition of his responsibilities with the LEAP Committee will just be another opportunity for growth.

"I've found that organization and planning are the keys to staying on top of my responsibilities," Clausen said. "It's not always easy but making sure I know what's coming up helps me balance being a student and an athlete."