It’s no huge surprise that freshman Hannah Bennett would want to be involved with Philomath High School’s forestry program. Going back to her great grandfather, the timber industry is her DNA.
“My great grandpa was Carl Bennett and he owned Bennett Lumber Co., Bennett Planing Mill and Bennett Logging Co.,” Hannah said. “My grandpa is Dennis Bennett and he works at Timber Supply and he owns it. He started working there in 1973 and has owned the business for 35 years.”
Timber Supply has a direct connection with the PHS forestry program, donating wire rope for chokers and cable splicing purposes, she said.
“And my dad has also worked there at Timber Supply for 23 years.”
Hannah, 15-year-old daughter of Becky and Brad Bennett, is February’s Philomath High School Forestry Student of the Month sponsored by Starker Forests.
Besides all of that family history, Hannah said her parents told her “it would be really fun for me” and that she also “knew Babcock before this” — referring to forestry instructor Simon Babcock.
“My favorite part of this class so far is just interacting with everything and being outside and not having to sit in a classroom?” she said. “I really like arbor climb and ax throw. Arbor climb is where you can just put yourself onto the tree and you climb up — you can make a career out of it.”
As for ax throw, Hannah said it comes easy for her.
It might be a little early for Hannah to make any decisions on career paths just yet, considering her young age. But she does have the desire to continue in the forestry program.
“I think it’s gonna be really fun throughout high school just because you’ll move to Forestry 2 and then you’re going to get to do different jobs and stuff throughout that,” she said.
When competitions start back up, she looks forward to participating in ax throw.
On the topic of practicing, Hannah said, “I should ask my dad to get a target though.”