This article is part of a series of profiles of 2025 graduating seniors in Salem high schools that will be published over the coming week. See the full series here.

When Chris Trammell saw Andrew Mhoon pop up on his class roster for Outward Leadership this year, his first question was “Why?”

Mhoon, a senior at Sprague High School, had already taken the class, which focuses on how to lead with empathy. Mhoon treated it like an easy ‘A,’ his teacher Trammell said, and a social hour with his friends. 

“Pretty immature,” Mhoon said of his sophomore year self.

But something had shifted by senior year. Mhoon took the class seriously, and brought an infectious enthusiasm to the course material which challenges students to unlearn the mindsets that cause people, especially young men, to treat other people like means to an end or obstacles.

“It was almost like getting to know him a second time, just watching him lead the class,” Trammell said. “Watching him mature into the leader that he is has just been a highlight for me, truly. Seeing guys like him graduate is what sucks about this job. It’s great because I’m excited for him to go on and do good things, but also they leave a hole.”

Mhoon, who graduated this weekend with a high GPA, will also be leaving a hole in the Sprague infield, where his leadership was essential. He was a star shortstop on the school’s baseball team, which required a strong arm, quick dives and good communication. Communication was the hardest to learn, Mhoon said.

“That’s one of the biggest things that I’ve tried to work on at Sprague. You’re always talking, pretty much every pitch you’re telling people what they need to do, you’re communicating with your pitcher, telling people how many outs there are and making sure everyone’s ready for the next play,” he said.

Mhoon, who grew up in Salem, learned how to throw a baseball with his dad and grew up hitting wiffle balls in a neighbor’s batting cage. He came into high school with a lot of skill and, he said, a show-off attitude and urge to build popularity. Maturing came with time.

“I don’t really know what happened. I think I always had it in me,” he said.

Trammell, who’s also the school’s activities director, often had to brag on Mhoon’s behalf during an interview with Salem Reporter. Mhoon explained his job as a shortstop clinically: they’re between second and third base. They get the most ground balls.

“It’s where you put the best player is at shortstop,” Trammell added. “You need a guy who’s going to field everything well.”

Trammell also credited Mhoon with helping the school’s basketball team to finish 4th in state this year, the best finish in the school’s history, he said. Mhoon had played basketball through freshman year, then took a two-year break before returning as a senior. He won a team award for co-defensive player of the year, and got an honorable mention in a regional conference.

Trammell said Mhoon did the “dirty work” on the court, constantly hustling and guarding strong opponents to allow his teammates to shine.

Off the basketball court and baseball field, Mhoon is an engaged student. Tramell’s leadership class is one of his favorites. He said he wanted to take it again to soak in the real-world skills it offered. He also enjoyed math, science, a public speaking elective and Advanced Placement European History.

He’s committed to play Division 1 baseball on a scholarship from Loyola Marymount University, in California.

Mhoon plans to study political science, and wants to be a lawyer like his mom. 

Trammell still has Salem baseball in his future. This summer, he’ll be playing shortstop with the Marion Berries, Salem’s new summer collegiate baseball team. In a February Instagram post announcing the placement, the team called him a “local legend.”

Most college players join a summer team, Mhoon said, but he’s lucky to be placed in his hometown. He’ll play alongside old teammates and former opponents from other Oregon schools. The first home game is scheduled for Monday, June 23.

“I’m really excited,” he said. “It’ll be cool to just be at home, knowing that I have a lot of support from fans and people around the community.”

Trammell said he’s loved watching Mhoon’s growth, and admires the way he treats school staff and builds friendships with classmates from all walks of life.

“He’s shifted from being a leader to being a leader worth following, where there’s real substance and real character,” Tramell said. “Everyone has this persona of: ‘Andrew Mhoon, D1 athlete, Andrew Mhoon this, that or the other.’ His name is out there. But I’ve watched him really pull the veil back and be like ‘But I’m also a real person, and this is who I am and this is what I care about.’”

Mhoon said his teacher’s remarks about him were “pretty cool.”

“I think that’s what life’s all about. At the end of the day, everyone has to hang up their cleats or basketball shoes at some point in their life. There’s more important things than sports,” he said. “What Tramell was highlighting is the important stuff, in my view.”

Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.

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