Super Kid

Published 9:00 pm Monday, November 22, 2004

Band to the bone: Plays clarinet but has been drum major with whistle and tall, furry busby hat for the Lakewood High School pep band for two years. Calls it a sometimes stressful but rewarding role. “I love parades. I like the energy you get from crowds.”

Future goals: A senior, she is still looking at universities, but plans to major in something in the health field and minor in music.

A helping hand: Offers her perspective as the lone teenager on the Snohomish County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board.

A helping hand II: Recently named “sibling of the year” by Snohomish County ARC, a nonprofit organization that works with individuals and families of people with special needs.

Has a younger brother with autism and offers other students with special needs siblings this advice: “Don’t take it personally when you get sidetracked. Don’t give up hope … Remember, you are just as important as your sibling is.”

Making a run for it: Was co-captain of the Lakewood cross-country team and competed in the district meet this fall. “I like the feeling you get after the race is done and you say, ‘Yes! I can’t believe I just did that.’ “

Favorite author: Lurlene McDaniel, who has written dozens of novels about kids who face life-threatening medical conditions and sometimes don’t survive. “She writes it from their perspectives. They are very moving.”

Away from school: Likes to hang out with friends and play her clarinet. “It puts me in a better mood.”

Most inspiring teacher: Former Lakewood band teacher John Rants, who also taught middle school band students. She had his classes for five years. “He made band fun. He really helped us learn a lot of things. Band has always been family. Mr. Rants was kind of like our dad.”

Know a super kid? Contact us at 425-339-3036 or schoolfyi@heraldnet.com.