MONROE — Veronica Attebery is a senior at Leaders in Learning in Monroe. She has turned her grades around since she started at the alternative high school halfway through her freshman year. At the same time, she has worked at her family’s business. Attebery, 18, has overcome many challenges that could have kept her from graduating.
Question: What brought you to Leaders in Learning?
Answer: I was struggling at Monroe High School. I was shy and very self-conscious. I thought maybe I’d try this other school. It was easier to get to know the students here because it’s smaller.
Q: How have your grades changed?
A: At Monroe High School, I was failing most of my classes. I was struggling in the new environment. When I got to Leaders in Learning, I was able to focus. The teachers are very helpful here. Now, my grades are better and I’m on track to graduate.
Q: And you’re also a teaching assistant?
A: I make copies and take over some of the teacher’s work so she can help students. It’s nice being able to help a teacher help students.
Q: Tell me about your work outside of school.
A: Right now, I’m a junior administrative assistant at Kid’s Country Child Care and Learning Center. I do a lot of office work. It’s a family business that my grandparents founded. I’ve always been involved in one way or another. I also used to work as a dishwasher at Echo Falls Golf Course. That was my first job going out on my own.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: I would like to go to college for some kind of creative thing. I’m applying for scholarships but I’m not sure exactly what I want to do yet. I’m considering Cascadia Community College so I can continue working. It’s also smaller and I think that’s best for me.
Q: What type of career do you envision?
A: I want to make things for people. I love repurposing furniture. If there’s an old chair, you can give it a new look or make it into something totally different. I like helping other people. I could help people who have a vision for a project but don’t know how to make it happen. I enjoy having that freedom to be able to create whatever I want and the artistic ability to make it into something else.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: I have 56 boards on Pinterest. I’m very organized. I love cooking and baking. I also like to do crafts and artwork. I draw people, animals and nature.
Q: Who influenced you during high school?
A: Barb Ayers. She was a teacher here but now she works at an elementary school. She made me feel comfortable in class and helped me with writing. I want to start a blog that touches into all of the stuff I love, such as cooking, fashion and crafts, just an everything blog.
Q: How have you changed since freshman year?
A: When I came here as a freshman, I literally only talked to Barb. Since then, I’m more open and friendly. I’ve grown up.
Q: What’s the most important lesson you’ll take away from high school?
A: You can’t let others get you down. You’ve got to do what makes you happy. It’s good to be there for others but you first have to support yourself.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports
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