Heather Flaherty, 18, Bothell High School

Tree hugger: Not afraid to get dirty as a member of the school’s Earth Club, she helped secure grants to clean up a pond, plant flowers and put recycle bins in every classroom, among other work.

Keep it clean: “I think it’s so important to take care of the environment, and it drives me crazy with people who don’t care and don’t realize our resources will run out if we don’t do anything.”

Humanitarian: Was one of two seniors at her school given the Northshore School District’s C.P. Johnson Humanitarian Award for her tolerance, compassion, helpfulness and respect for others.

Wise words: Her club adviser and mentor, Kim Glandon, helps her when she feels overwhelmed by the world and all its issues, including harm to the environment and to other people. “She always says, ‘Think globally but act locally.’ So why not start with my school campus and move onto bigger things eventually?”

Going global: Bigger things are already on the horizon with a 10-day summer trip to Costa Rica, where she will help guard endangered turtle eggs from poachers and plant trees as part of a reforestation effort. Also looks forward to riding a zip line through the jungle.

Going with best friends: Trip is through Seattle-based EcoTeach. “I’m so excited because it will be our first time out of the country together, and I’ll get to practice my Spanish.”

Muy bueno: A fourth-year Spanish student, she has honed her skills babysitting for a Spanish-speaking family whose 8-year-old son would quiz her on vocabulary words.

Senior project: Learned how to salsa dance. “I think I watched ‘Dirty Dancing’ too much.”

College plans: Heading to Western Washington University, where she’ll likely pursue education or dance.

Passionate: In the past helped support her school’s GLOW (Gay, Lesbian or Whomever) diversity club and helped doorbell in the last presidential campaign with the Young Democrats of Snohomish County. She says she realizes “the luxury of being young and idealistic,” and hopes never to change.

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