End in sight: Is finishing up consumer math and senior English classes, his last stops before earning a diploma. Has his cap and gown ordered and is feeling great.
Turn-around kid: “I got in a lot of trouble in (traditional) high school. I came here and focused more on my work. It’s a lot of work, a lot of changes – it’s all for the good.”
Self-motivated: Likes the pick-your-pace approach of Leaders and thrives on working independently. One semester he took 13 classes, accumulating 10 credits. “It was amazing.” Able to tailor his schedule around his job at Quiznos; mostly attends evenings.
Eyes on his future: Plans to attend Bellevue Community College. Wants to get a criminal justice degree. “I want to be the sheriff. … I like helping kids that were like me back then. I want to teach them what’s wrong, what’s right.”
Moved around: Lived in Everett for several years, then attended Lake Stevens High School as a freshman, followed by Monroe High School as a sophomore. Switched to Leaders after that. Finishing in five years after falling far behind early in high school.
Brotherly love: Is the only boy sandwiched between seven sisters. “I’m the lucky one out.” Sometimes feels a bit alone, and they gave him a hard time when he was younger. “I’m really protective of all my sisters and they appreciate that.”
Ultimate athlete: Plays for Monroe’s Ultimate Frisbee team, which took first in the state in the recent Ultimate Players Association’s mixed-team state championship in Burlington. They’re one of the top-ranked mixed teams in the field. Team includes four boys and three girls from across Monroe High School and Leaders in Learning.
Thrill of victory: Enjoys his tight-knit team. “The only way we lose to another team is to lose to ourselves.”
Started with soccer: Describes the sport as a cross between soccer, basketball and football. School administrator and coach Ken Brown recruited him. “I kind of laughed. ‘Is that even a sport?’ All I remembered about Frisbee is you throw it to each other.”
Admires: Looks up to Brown. “He’s a really good coach, a really good teacher.” Most appreciates Leaders secretary Linda Hampton. “Linda is like my second mom. She pushes me to my limit. Even though she’s not a teacher, she’s always the first one to help me out.”
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