CHARTING A SCHOLARLY COURSE.

Byline: Michael Booth The Register-Guard

When Megan Worman speaks about her future goals, you may think she is one of those rare people who have had it all figured out since kindergarten.

Worman, a 21-year-old student at Lane Community College and a Springfield resident, boasts a 4.138 grade point average and has been showered with academic scholarships and awards.

Most recently, Worman received an Outstanding Student Scholar Award from the Oregon Community College Association. The award is worth $1,000, and she'll use it to attend the University of Oregon this fall.

Worman's other academic honors include the president's honor roll, All-USA Academic Team Nominee representing LCC and the National Dean's List.

At LCC, Worman is completing an associates degree in psychology. At the University of Oregon, she intends to major in both French and English before applying to law school.

Though Worman has charted her academic course for the next five years, she said she did not always have that sense of direction.

Worman attended Sheldon High School and found her classes to be engaging, but she decided to leave school a year early. She took, and passed, the high school equivalency exam.

`I just had no idea what I wanted to do,' Worman said. `I took two years off to think and decide where my priorities and passions were.'

Worman said she was always interested in civil rights issues and politics, and ultimately decided to pursue a career in civil rights law.

`It was a gradual decision. ... I want to work with people who have the least power and voice in our society - individuals who have been disenfranchised, shunned and segregated by social stereotypes and biases. I'm really hoping to help some of those people.'

Once Worman decided upon the direction her life would take, she took advantage of opportunities at LCC. She joined Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year college attendees that requires a minimum GPA of 3.5, and is now the chapter vice president.

PTK gave her an outlet for her social activism. She helped organize the cleanup of 30th Avenue, which borders LCC, after her local chapter adopted the street. Her group also puts together food baskets for needy families during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Worman also is organizing a program called Pet Food on Wheels - much like Meals on Wheels - to deliver free pet food to impoverished people with pets.

`There are a lot of seniors or disabled people that, if they can't afford pet food, share their meals with their pets,' Worman said. `I heard about the success of similar programs in other parts of the country and became interested in starting one here.'

Though Worman's schedule is jam-packed with classes and volunteer work, she also finds time to help manage her household. Helping at home includes driving her 14-year-old sister Kaitlyn to and from school and other activities.

Worman's mother, Tera, has an autoimmune disease called systemic lupus that occurs when the body's tissues are attacked by its own immune system. Common symptoms of the disease can include fatigue, fever, arthritis and loss of appetite.

`Sometimes I need to help around the house,' Worman said. `There are some days when Mom feels OK and some when she doesn't. There are some days when that conflicts with school, but everyone (at LCC) has been really understanding.'

For the next five years of her academic life, Worman plans to be around to help.

`When I think about the fact I'll be in school for the next five years - it's a little daunting,' Worman said. `My experience (at LCC) has been really great, but I'm looking forward to moving on to new opportunities.'