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<< Previous   of   Next >> Elizabeth Armstrong / The Herald  (click to enlarge) As the other Youth Achievement Award winners filed into the Everett Police Department for the ceremony, Everett Mayor Ray Stephenson (left) made a quick adjustment to Nghia Nguyen's tie. Nguyen, 18, is a senior at Cascade High School.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, April 17, 2008 Mayor's award recognizes students with grades and gumption By David Chircop Herald Writer They aspire to one day become doctors, lawyers, engineers, veterinarians and leaders in business and media. On Wednesday, six students were recognized with a Mayor's Youth Achievement Award for showing qualities including academic excellence, volunteerism and perseverance in the face of adversity. "These award winners reflect the quality of young people involved in our community," Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson said in a statement. "As you can see, we are in no way in short order of future leaders." City and community representatives received and reviewed nominations for the 19th annual awards. Here are the winners: Miranda Benner, 18, is a senior at Cascade High School. Benner maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is a member of her school's math and Hi-Q teams, a section leader in the band, and a member of the National Honor Society. She was voted both most shy and brainiest girl in her class. Last year, she completed the Washington Aerospace Scholars educational program, a NASA-designed learning and summer residency program for high school juniors. Benner is an organizer of the Eisenhower Middle School Math Club. She's a founding member of Cascade's Random Acts of Kindness group, and she helped make 1,000 Christmas stockings for charities and delivered holiday food baskets for families in need. She plans to attend Northwestern University in Chicago to become an electrical or chemical engineer. Chelsi Donaldson, 20, is a senior at Sequoia High School. At 14, Donaldson left a troubled home and moved to Cocoon House, a shelter for homeless youth. She excelled at algebra, geometry and English. Donaldson also often counseled friends facing challenges. She moved to Mount Vernon when she turned 18, where she worked nights and weekends and continued school in Everett. She later took a break from high school and got a job at the Everett Animal Shelter. Now she is ready to graduate and plans to attend Edmonds Community College. Donaldson hopes to transfer to Washington State University for pre-veterinary or psychology studies. Tremaine Frazier, 17, is a junior at Mariner High School. Frazier is an honor roll student who volunteers with social justice causes. She takes several Advanced Placement classes while caring for her mother, who has been ill and has undergone multiple surgeries in recent years. Frazier compiled a resource guide called "Domestic Violence Resource Booklet: Helping Women in Need of a New Start" as part of a school project. Copies of the 50-page booklet are available at schools, churches and social service agencies in Snohomish County. She is also a founding member of the student organization Undoing Institutional Racism and has volunteered with Students Promoting Equality and Knowledge, Pathways for Women, and Campfire USA. Frazier wants to work in the criminal justice system as either an FBI agent or an attorney. Max Mowrer, 17, is a junior at Everett High School. Last year, Mowrer battled depression. He struggled with grades and lost motivation to go to school. With help from his family and friends, Mowrer made a dramatic turnaround. He returned to school, improved his grades, turned out for wrestling, and won the academic award for highest GPA on the wrestling team with a 4.0 his junior year. Mowrer did not qualify for post-season wrestling. Still, he stayed committed to his team by traveling to the state tournament, where he made a highlight video for each coach and team member. Mowrer makes highlight videos for other local middle and high school sports teams, as well as memorial videos for recently deceased members of the Tulalip Tribes, of which he is a member. Mowrer recently cut his long hair and donated it to Locks of Love, a charity that makes hairpieces for low-income children who have lost their hair during treatment for illness. Mowrer wants to make a career out of video production and editing. Nghia Nguyen, 18, is a senior at Cascade High School. Nguyen and his family came to the United States in 1994, after his father was freed following a decade of imprisonment by the communist government in Vietnam. After Nguyen's mother died in 2003 from complications of a brain tumor and breast cancer, his schoolwork began to suffer. With the help of family, Nguyen became a leader at home, school and church. He helps out at home by doing chores and taking care of his little brother. He also does cleaning at St. Michael's Church in Snohomish, where his father works one of his two jobs. Nguyen volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club, helping with games and the club's dinner program. He also helps kids with their homework. He planned a dance for his Catholic youth group that raised money so children at his church could travel to conventions. He also raised money for his church through the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Group by organizing a games booth at a festival. Nguyen plans to attend the University of Washington next year. He wants to become a pediatrician. Patrick Pollard, 18, is a senior at Mariner High School. He was born with cerebral palsy, which has caused him to walk with a limp. He was his junior class vice president and participated in Naval Junior Recruiting Officer Training Corps. Pollard is a member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, has qualified for the state competition for parliamentary procedure and has the goal of reaching the national competition. Pollard is also involved with Future Business Leaders of America and Delta Epsilon Chi, a student business club. He plans to study business management with a concentration in psychology at Johnson and Wales University's Denver campus. Pollard hopes to one day work in business management, where he can use his leadership skills to motivate others. Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.

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