LYNNWOOD — Born in Kenya, Grace Mwangi is a Lynnwood High School senior who balances a rigorous academic load with dance, church, leadership and serving as a student representative on the Edmonds School Board.
Question: Did you grow up around here?
Answer: I moved to Lynwood in 2009. I used to live in Seattle. I came here in the sixth grade. I attended Spruce Elementary and Alderwood Middle.
Q: Do you remember your first day of school as a freshman?
A: I remember there were so many people. All my classes were scattered and I was like, “I don’t know where to go.”
Q: What classes are you taking?
A: This semester I have AP (college-level Advanced Placement) government, personal finance, physics, AP literature, leadership and AP calculus.
Q: What activities you are involved in?
A: The dance team, the Edmonds School Board and I’m the Black Student Union president.
Q: Have you been part of the dance team for a while?
A: I started it this year. My friend asked me … I dance at my church, so that helped.
Q: What was it like being part of the team?
A: It was scary. At our competitions, just seeing so many people. It was like, “Oh my gosh.” But it is really fun. It’s a really great experience.
Q: What’s it like to sit on the Edmonds School Board?
A: It’s interesting because they talk about issues that sometimes I talk about with my friends … It really affects students.
Q: What do you do with the Black Student Union?
A: We worked on the Martin Luther King assembly. We are (planning) a multicultural event. Sometimes we talk about Black Lives Matter issues that are going on.
Q: What do you do away from school?
A: I am on the praise and worship team at my church (Joy Bringers Ministry in Shoreline) and I’m active in my youth group.
Q: Do you have a favorite part of part of high school?
A: I like hanging out with my friends, talking about classes, getting to know other people, giving advice to younger students.
Q: Tell me about being in leadership.
A: We plan assemblies, make posters, get involved in teacher appreciation. Anything school spirit, we do.
Q: What else do you like to do?
A: My sister has a baby. I really like playing with my niece.
Q: Do you have plans for next year?
A: I want to go to the UW (University of Washington) or WSU (Washington State University) and probably (study) pre-pharmacy.
Q: Tell me about your family.
A: I have three sisters. I’m the third of four. Sometimes my dad will say, ‘There are just so many girls in the house.’ But we are not super girly. We watch football with him.
Q: Do you have a favorite childhood memory?
A: Probably on my birthday (in Kenya) when my parents would bring in food and treats for the whole class and they would stay.
Q: Have you been back to Kenya?
A: I was back in 2011 to the village where (relatives) live. It was fun to see my family, and you don’t have to go to the store because the crops are there, maize is everywhere. It was fun, but this is where I live now.
Q: What’s your favorite book?
A: “To Kill A Mockingbird.” I kind of felt like I was in the book sometimes.
Q: How about a favorite movie?
A: “War Room.”
Q: Is there anything about you that might surprise people to know?
A: My family says I talk in my sleep but I don’t believe it.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
