Chris Adgar-Beal

Gig Harbor High senior a talented musician dedicated to giving everything his best efforts

Chris Adgar-Beal has been described as a remarkable young man who is equally talented as a musician and an intelligent academic. He is a leader and an athlete who said he doesn’t believe in half-doing anything, so dedicates himself to finding his full potential.

“I like to challenge myself,” Adgar-Beal said. “I want to do well in whatever I do.”

Although he has a 3.99 grade-point average, he said getting good grades isn’t easy. It requires a lot of organization and discipline, especially since his schedule includes athletics, music and community service, and his involvement with the cross country and track teams is a yearlong commitment.

Adgar-Beal has been taking lessons in classic guitar and piano for four years, in addition to teaching himself the acoustic and electric guitars. James Thornton, a classic guitar teacher, said Adgar-Beal is one of the finest young talents he’s taught in his 20 years of teaching.

“He has tremendous self-discipline and determination,” Thornton said. “He is calm and methodical in the preparation of his music studies, and sensitive and expressive in their execution.”

Adgar-Beal has performed at various events, and he’s been hired for some performances. He also uses his musical talents for community service, playing at TideFest, the Gig Harbor Garden Tour and similar venues.

For his senior project, Adgar-Beal chose to organize a rock concert in order to raise funds for a wheelchair-accessible playground for the PenMet Foundation. He has various musical achievements, including recognitions by the Peninsula United Music Association, which selected him as the only guitarist to perform at a student recognition recital.

An outgoing and dependable person, Adgar-Beal has distinguished himself through his maturity, generosity, poise and courage.

“I am extremely impressed with Chris Adgar-Beal’s high school accomplishments in academics, music and athletics,” said Eleanor Ledbetter, a Gig Harbor High School teacher. “I would describe Chris as a tenacious and dependable individual who is truly committed to the high goals that he has set for himself.”

Adgar-Beal plans to study business and is considering a music minor in college. He hopes to work in the business or legal aspect of the music industry.

Adgar-Beal was attracted by the idea after he took an economics class in high school.

“The concept was interesting and it clicked with me,” he said. “The class put me on that career path, and I’ve put a lot of effort into my musical studies, so I want to continue that effort.”

Adgar-Beal credits several of his teachers with his success, especially his cross country coach, Patty Ley, whom he said guided him to “be a better human being” and a better runner.

Chris Adgar-Beal

Education: Senior, Gig Harbor High School

GPA: 3.993

Parents: Scott Beal and Cathy Adgar-Beal

Activities/achievements: Cross country varsity letter (four years), team captain, Nike Northwest Regionals (58th place), 2007 Class 4A state meet (23rd place), 2006 Bob Firman Invitational (first place in JV race at Boise, Idaho); varsity track (three years); first degree karate brown belt; National Merit Scholar Commendation; classical, acoustic and electric guitar and piano, including various performances; National Honor Society; Pierce County Library short story contest (third place).

Favorite teacher: Molly Pugh, “because her classes encourage individual examination of literary topics, which lead to enriched collective understanding of both the subject and its larger context in our lives,” Adgar-Beal said.

Best thing about high school: “I am grateful to attend a school where I feel safe and accepted by my peers, and where my ideas as an individual are acknowledged and respected,” he said.