S-5 Recruiting and Public Relations Officer, Cadet Captain Heaven Hannum- Heaven was born in Salem, OR. She was born in the Salem Hospital on February 3rd, 1994. The story of how she got her name isn’t as amazing as some people may think. Her dad was late and missed her birth and she came so fast that her mom had no time for pain medication. So, when her dad finally showed up, with mom exhausted and resting, dad put Heaven as her first name and Ashley as her middle. Heaven is the oldest of nine children. She has five sisters; Emma, Kaylinn,Haylee,Brittany, and Destiny she also has three brothers; Austin, Alex, and Austin. Heaven went to Mary Eyre Elementary from preschool through fifth grade, Houck middle school from sixth through eighth, andNorth Salem high school from ninth grade to present. Her GPA is 3.48 and has always been on honor roll. After high school, Heaven wants to go toUniversity of Washington or Oregon Health andScience University to get her Bachelors of Science in nursing. She hopes to become a neonatal intensive care unit nurse.
Heavens’ freshman year, she was a team leader. Working hard for the battalion and doing her job, she was promoted to squad leader, then transitioning to platoon leader for her junior year. This year, Heaven is the S-5 for the North Salem High School Viking Battalion.
Heaven has not participated in any of the teams, but she supports them 100%. The three main awards that Heaven has earned is; The Scholastic Excellence metal that she earned her freshman year for keeping a high GPA, The AMVETS metal that she earned her sophomore year for taking initiative, and The Superior Cadet metal her junior year for being an outstanding cadet.
Heaven’s job on the staff is recruiting and public affairs. She travels to middle schools and talks about JROTC to the eighth graders. She also posts pictures of what the battalion does in the classroom and at events. She puts new trophies and plaques that we can earn at events into the display case. If there is a major event, Heaven calls the Statesman Journal so they can print it into the newspaper to shine light on the battalion.