Super Kid: Suniesha Marker, Everett High, has a passion for books, sign language

Q: Everett High's librarian, Deborah Payne, says she's a "Suniesha fan." So you help her in the library?

A: I started helping in the library the first semester of my junior year. I have a passion for books. The library gets really packed. I help at lunch and after school. Kids either want to work on their homework during lunch or be there with friends. There aren't enough people do help. My job is to stand behind the counter and help kids. Librarians are fantastic people.

Q: Do you plan to become a librarian?

A: I want to do something to help people.

Q: Will you go to college next fall?

A: I've been accepted at Northwest University in Kirkland. It's a private Christian college. I'm hoping to live in a dorm. I look forward to learning and meeting new people.

Q: What's your favorite subject at Everett High?

A: Throughout my years here, I've really loved the English department. My favorite subject now is American Sign Language.

Q: Your senior project involves American Sign Language, doesn't it?

A: Yes, my CE (culminating exhibition) is teaching American Sign Language at my church. I go to New Beginnings Church in Everett. The kids are 6 to 11. I ended up teaching them a story in sign language.

Q: How did you become interested in American Sign Language? Is someone in your life hearing-impaired?

A: No, when I started going to the church, I had a friend who was a signer there. I fell in love with it. I'd like to be a professional interpreter.

Q: You're a musician too?

A: I play guitar and congas with a music group at church. My mom bought me a guitar at 11. I started really playing when I was 15. In 10th grade, I took Guitar 1 at Everett High. I'm still learning. With guitar, you never stop learning.

Q: Where did you go to school before Everett High?

A: I was homeschooled up to seventh grade. I started getting into reading at about 3. Books created a fervent feeling that shaped who I am. Our dad taught us school. We'd get up, have breakfast and have school. Our basement was school. We had school books and learned all the state capitals. My dad loves history.

Q: So middle school was your first regular school experience?

A: Yes. My dad ended up switching shifts at Boeing. I went to North Middle School in seventh grade. It was tough at first. You had to find your way. Eighth grade was a lot better.

Q: Tell me more about your family.

A: I have three brothers, two half-brothers, a half-sister and a stepbrother. I'm one of the middle children.

Q: Do you have a favorite move? What about music and TV shows?

A: "Anchorman" is my favorite movie, anything to make me laugh. Right now I like Skillet, a Christian rock band. And TV, I like "Switched at Birth," "NCIS" and "Criminal Minds." I like the way they figure things out on that show. It's a mind game.

Q: How do you enjoy spending spare time?

A: Being a teenager, hanging out with friends and family. And sleep, that's my favorite.

Q: Your faith is important to you. Can you talk about that?

A: I've learned to try to give as much as I can. The more you help people and put yourself out there, the less I worry about myself.

Q: What's a favorite memory you'll take from Everett High?

A: The people around here. The teachers, they do so much for so little. And the Class of 2012 is awesome. We put a lot of effort into making 2012 one of the best classes.

Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460, muhlstein@heraldnet.com.