Kendall Swanson, 18, is a senior at Lake Stevens High School. She has been accepted to Oregon State University and plans to major in chemistry or chemical engineering. She lives in Lake Stevens.
Question: Do you have any siblings?
Answer: “I have one younger sister. She’s 15, Sophie.”
Q: Do you have an after-school job?
A: “No, but I coach two volleyball teams as a volunteer.”
Q: What do you like about that?
A: “It’s just really rewarding to see them have fun and learn something new at the same time.”
Q: You did gymnastics too, right?
A: “I was a gymnast for 11 years. I competed for four years. You really learn a lot about yourself in gymnastics. You learn how much you can push yourself, mentally, physically and emotionally.”
Q: How did you get involved in volleyball?
A: “I had a friend, Molly, who played at the Boys &Girls Club. Her dad actually coached the team … I tried out for the school team in seventh grade.”
Q: What position do you play?
A: “I’m an outside hitter … I play on the far left side of the front row and back row.”
Q: Does your sister play?
A: “Yes. I coach her team.”
Q: What do you like to do outside of school?
A: “Probably camping and hiking. I also knit and crochet, and I love to make jewelry.”
Q: What kind of jewelry?
A:“Mainly bracelets. That’s what I can do best.”
Q: How’s school going?
A: “Right now we’re getting ready for the AP tests so there’s a lot of studying going on.”
Q: What advanced placement classes are you taking?
A: “AP stats, AP chemistry and AP government and politics.”
Q: What other classes?
A: “Culinary, advanced lit and photography.”
Q: How did you learn you were interested in chemistry? What careers appeal to you?
A: “I took principles of engineering in eight grade at Cavalero (Mid High School) … I took a civil engineering class last semester and I didn’t really enjoy it. Chemistry is more my thing, so I think chemistry or chemical engineering.”
Q: What do you like about chemistry?
A: “I just really enjoy it and it comes easier to me. It’s a lot of math, and I like doing math.”
Q: Why do you want to go to Oregon State?
A: “I’ve been there a lot because my parents both went there. We go to a lot of the football games. I’ve been there a lot, and I just love the campus.”
Q: What do your parents do?
A: “My mom is a secretary … my dad is a manager for Stockpot Soups.”
Q: You visit Oregon in the summer? You have family there?
A:“My grandparents have a farm down there … we go for a week or maybe a few days.”
Q: What kind of books do you like to read?
A: “Any kind. I was collecting Nancy Drew for a long time. I need like ten more to have the whole set. Mysteries really interest me and the romantic love stories, I guess.”
Q: You have family members who have Crohn’s disease and colitis. How did you get involved in the annual Crohn’s &Colitis Foundation of America fundraiser walks in Seattle?
A: “My dad saw an ad in the paper and we did the walk … Now we do it every year and donate.”
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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