EVERETT — One day they will be doctors, teachers, lawyers or even mayors. For now, they’ve been named exemplary teenagers.
The five Mayor’s Youth Achievement Award winners are proof that not only adults can make a difference in the community, Mayor Ray Stephanson said.
The 15th annual awards were presented on Wednesday to five Everett teenagers for qualities ranging from scholastic ability to perseverance to volunteerism.
The winners were chosen from nominations received and reviewed by a committee of city and community representatives. Stephanson said they bring honor not only to themselves and their families, but also to their schools and community.
He said he is also organizing a city youth board to be able to receive more constant advice from young Everett residents.
"My selfish motivation in all of this is that our young people will see public service as an attractive career alternative," the mayor said.
The five award winners, at their young ages, already have demonstrated a knack for getting involved.
"Wouldn’t it be great if these were some of the future candidates for City Council, mayor or county executive?" Stephanson said. "That’s what I’m hoping."
Gargi Chakraborty, 17, attends Cascade High School. She has a 3.98 GPA while taking honors and advanced placement classes, and plans to pursue a career in medicine.
She was nominated by two different people, teacher Michael Therrell and counselor Shelly Raketty. They call her delightful, hard-working, enthusiastic and intelligent, and are impressed by her accomplishments and range of community service.
Chakraborty serves as treasurer for the National Honor Society. She also volunteers for the Everett Public Library, Providence Medical Center, the Somerset Alzheimer’s Community, the American Red Cross, as a Special Olympics volunteer coach, and has been involved in several political campaigns.
Grant Haines, 18, was chosen for his dedication to earning his diploma from Everett High School even after experiencing losses in his family and personal health problems.
During his high school years he lost both of his grandparents, who played a very active role in his life. His father was seriously injured in a boating accident, and Haines himself was diagnosed with a seizure disorder.
Still, Haines lettered in soccer and tennis, was a member of the Homecoming Court, manages the student-run store in the cafeteria, was a Rotary Club student of the month and is involved in student leadership.
He plans to become a law enforcement officer and will study criminal justice in the fall.
Family friend Virginia Woodhouse nominated him for the award for all those reasons, she said.
Linda Huynh, 15, is a sophomore at Everett High School.
She devotes much of her time to volunteer work, including the American Red Cross, the Puget Sound Blood Center, Providence Medical Center’s Colby Campus and the hospital’s Pacific Campus pharmacy. She also worked on a project at Wiggums Park.
She also has a 3.9 GPA and takes honors classes.
Snohomish County Red Cross board member Chuck Morrison nominated her, saying her selfless interest in helping others epitomizes the high standard of youth commitment to promoting a safer and more caring community.
Thao Le, 17, attends Everett High School.
She has been student of the month several times, won a U.S. National Mathematics Award, is an Everett High School Hi-Q Team member and also a member of the Torch Honor Society.
She was captain of the varsity tennis team and was chosen the most inspirational player. She also volunteers her time for several school and community organizations, including Volunteers of America.
Born in Vietnam, she moved to the United States at age 3. Her teacher and nominator, Deb Kalina, said she has a global perspective on life, works hard and takes nothing for granted.
Alishia Smith, 18, attends Everett High School.
She is a member of the Snohomish County Health and Safety Network’s Youth Council, participates in numerous service projects and encourages others to become active in the community.
She is a weekly volunteer at Housing Hope and the Everett Housing Authority’s Grandview Housing Project, and has helped organize environmental cleanups in parks and violence prevention awareness campaigns.
Nominator Julia Hokanson of the Snohomish County Health and Safety Network said Smith is a model student who inspires her peers and handles herself with grace and composure under challenging circumstances.
Smith plans to attend Western Washington University in the fall and would like to become a teacher.
Reporter Jennifer Warnick: 425-339-3429 or jwarnick@heraldnet.com.
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