Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Adrianna Aroche (click to enlarge) Benjamin Todd (click to enlarge) Claire Murphy (click to enlarge) Conrad Kurrle (click to enlarge) Hailey Nelson (click to enlarge) McKenna Gorena (click to enlarge) Ryan Hooper   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, May 28, 2009 They're star pupils in the Everett mayor's eyes Seven students' achievements earn accolades from community leaders. By David Chircop Herald Writer EVERETT -- Seven students were recognized this month with an Everett Mayor's Youth Achievement Award. The winners of the 20th annual award were selected for qualities including academic excellence, volunteerism and perseverance in the face of adversity. A selection committee, comprised of government and community leaders, reviewed nominations and selected the winners, who either live or attend school in Everett. Here are the winners: Hailey Nelson After Hurricane Katrina, Hailey worked to help victims of the natural disaster. When the fourth-grader at Cedar Wood Elementary School learned that the Pass Christian Library on the Mississippi was in ruins, she called the library's director, who was brought to tears over her willingness to help. She then organized a book and video drive at her school and collected items to send to the library. She also raised money to buy supplies for a poor school in South Africa. Hailey is the editor of her school newspaper, the Seawolf Signal, and she has won several art contests. She hopes to one day be a veterinarian. Conrad Kurrle In November, Conrad recognized that Clothes for Kids, a nonprofit organization in Lynnwood, was in dire need of donations. With the holidays fast approaching, the Northshore Christian Academy eighth-grader set up collection bins throughout the community and at his school, where he rallied students to participate in a sock drive. More than 800 pairs of socks were collected as a result of his efforts. Conrad has helped the community as a Boy Scout on various service projects. He is involved with his church and says God gives him inspiration. He hopes to become a filmmaker. McKenna Gorena McKenna is an eighth-grade honors student and a third-year clarinet player in the Evergreen Middle School band. She competes in short-track inline speed skating and practices at least eight hours a week. She does this while battling asthma. McKenna works part time at Everett Skate Deck skating rink. In addition, she often extends a helping hand to fellow students by assisting with homework. She is also a role model for her younger sister, Lauren, who also skates for the Everett Express speed team. Next year, McKenna will attend Cascade High School. McKenna would like to pursue a career in crime scene investigation. Ryan Hooper Ryan is an honors student freshman at Kamiak High School who wrestles and plays football and lacrosse. He recently received an Eagle Scout award, Boy Scouts' highest achievement. His Eagle project at Howarth Park in Everett involved removing the old stairs on the beach access trail and building new ones. Ryan built new stairs, a handrail and a dog run. He volunteers with the Washington Trails Association, Everett-based Friends of Forgotten Creek and the Mukilteo Trails Group. He is a youth lacrosse referee and a snowboarding instructor. He hopes to attend Stanford University. Adrianna Aroche Adrianna's move from the San Francisco Bay area to Everett two years ago was difficult. Despite being a gifted student, the Everett High School sophomore's grades began to suffer. With the support of her family, she earned straight A's during the fall semester. She serves as the team captain and founder of her school's Volunteers of America youth auxiliary. Last year, Adrianna helped organize a holiday party for 300 homeless children. The event included pictures with Santa, distribution of gifts and a meal. She is a member of Everett High School's swimming and basketball teams. She plans to study business and dance in college. She hopes to one day own her own dance studio. Claire Murphy At Lakeside School in Seattle, Claire participates in basketball, crew and volleyball, where she has been captain for the past two years. The junior recently landed a position on the varsity squad. She serves as the treasurer of her school's Amnesty International chapter. Claire spent last summer on a service learning trip in Morocco. During her stay, she learned about her host family's Muslim culture and helped villagers build a sewer system. She volunteers at the Pavilion for Women and Children at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. She hopes to combine her love of helping children with her fascination for medicine. Benjamin Todd Benjamin's classes have included several honors and college-level classes. The senior maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is the lead trombonist in Henry M. Jackson High School's jazz band. He is also first chair in the honors wind ensemble. Benjamin is the president of the HiQ Club and an officer in the math club, where he has placed first and fourth in competitions this year. He is active in the National Honor Society. He was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and had to learn to control and monitor his blood sugar level. He says his experience with diabetes has taught him to take nothing for granted. Benjamin will attend Stanford University in the fall. He hopes to pursue a career either in engineering or research science. David Chircop: 425-339-3429, dchircop@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Arlington area man's arrest in alleged burglar's killing a shock to many 2. Fire tips police to Lynnwood pot farm 3. Rural Snohomish County voters largely rejected Referendum 71 4. Nearly 30 kids adopted during annual event in Snohomish County 5. Gold Bar couple admit animal cruelty in puppy mill case 6. Whistlin' Dixie 7. Lynnwood: Man charged in brother's 'honor killing' 8. Boeing begins work on new 787 plant 9. More workers laid off in Snohomish County's planning department 10. Camano Island man accused of selling stolen diabetic supplies on eBay 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Eat local this Thanksgiving • Mavericks moving on • Canada's Great Big Sea rolls into Edmonds • A. Murphy finishes 2nd in volleyball • Art Walk features music, demonstrations • EAT LOCAL: Getting the goods • Lynnwood HS history teacher Vic Bennet dies • Wildcats head to semis • CSO Chamber annual show slated Nov. 23 • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million