SNOHOMISH — Mary Hlavacka, 17, is a senior at Glacier Peak High School. She is a varsity cheerleader with sights set on becoming a rocket scientist. She’s part of the Washington Aerospace Scholars program and is taking college courses through Running Start. Hlavacka, of Monroe, is on track to graduate from high school with her associate’s degree in science next spring.
Q: What has been important to you throughout high school?
A: I try to immerse myself in a lot of different activities. When I started at Glacier Peak freshman year, I didn’t know anyone. I was the new kid so I got involved.
Q: What activities have you been involved with?
A: I’ve been on the tennis team for four years. I also really wanted to cheer — I tried out at the end of my freshman year but I didn’t make it. I was really upset because I thought I had done well. That drove me to keep going.
I joined a competitive cheer team and traveled to competitions, including an international competition in Canada. I came back to tryouts at the end of my sophomore year and made the squad. This is my second year as a varsity cheerleader.
Q: Tell us about some of the clubs.
A: I’m part of the National Honor Society. I’m also a Grizzly Club mentor. You get paired with an elementary school kid who you might have similar interests with. I take them to different places, such as the zoo, a museum or the library. I also teach them about sports. That’s been a fun experience. I tried several other school clubs, but now I’m more into volunteering.
Q: What type of volunteer work do you do?
A: I started volunteering at 10 years old. People are sometimes unaware, but there is a need. Jubilee REACH is an organization based in Bellevue. It recognizes a great need for kids. The organization has several programs, including sports, child care and a thrift store. I’ve done a lot of work at the thrift store. I put clothes out, helped people with dressing rooms and organized merchandise. It was a great way for me to help people. The most meaningful part was seeing all the different experiences the customers had.
Q: What are you most interested in?
A: I’ve really gotten into science. I’m joining the robotics team and taking more STEM-based classes.
Q: You’re a Washington Aerospace Scholar. Tell us about that program.
A: It really opened the door to my future ambitions. After completing the online learning, I was invited as part of the top 160 students in the state to go to a summer residency at the Museum of Flight. We did a simulation of a moon landing in which we had to overcome problems, such as radiation. We had to fix it so we could successfully land on the moon. It was really about applying all of the knowledge we’d learned before to something people are actually working on. We also planned a hypothetical human mission to Mars and designed a rover. We presented our work to University of Washington professors. At the end, they chose me to visit Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona.
Q: What did you do there?
A: I got to take flights with flight instructors, which was cool because I’ve never flown a plane before. I was so nervous, especially when we started stalling. Once we were in the air, I was the one doing all the maneuvering. I got a feel for what it was like to fly a plane. It was really exhilarating.
Q: Tell us about your experience as page in the state House of Representatives.
A: That was so much fun. In eighth grade, I took a government class and thought I wanted to become a lawyer. I wrote a letter to then-Rep. Kirk Pearson, who is now a state senator, and became a page my freshman year. I got to go on the House floor and see how bills are passed. I learned a lot about government and how the Capitol works inside.
Q: What other activities have you tried?
A: I played violin in the Everett Youth Symphony orchestra for five years. I was a violinist for the spring musical in the Glacier Peak pit orchestra.
I took two years of French and earned the honor of being the department scholar. I also received the Rotary youth leadership award. At leadership camp in Canada, I learned how important it is to serve others.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: I plan to transfer to a four-year university to pursue aerospace or mechanical engineering. I’m considering Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the University of Washington.
Q: What do you hope to do after college?
A: I want to become a rocket scientist. I would love to work for an aerospace company like Boeing or maybe even NASA.
Q: How has your high school experience changed you?
A: I’ve become more determined and more proficient in time management. I’ve tried a wide variety of things and developed different interests. Now I stick with the things I’m passionate about and want to keep doing for a long time. I like to think I’ve grown in the knowledge I’ve gained.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.
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