Super Kid: Ryan Hillery, 16, Granite Falls High School junior

School spirit: Wore a dress and a wig for a video promoting fall activities, including girls’ soccer. One clip has the lanky teen — he’s 6 feet, 5 inches tall — pretending to compete at a soccer practice. He quips, “Long legs in short shorts” and insists, “It was everyone else’s idea who was working on the video, but it was good because it was for school spirit.”

Taking the lead: Is junior class president and is taking a leadership class. Goal is to get more students involved. “I have a lot of friends in leadership. It should be fun. It should be a good experience and I think it will help me in life.”

Full schedule: Classes include precalculus, chemistry, U.S. history, third-year Spanish and college-level Advanced Placement Language Arts.

Favorite subject: History, particularly enjoyed world history. Art was one of his favorite electives.

Three sports: Runs cross country in the fall, plays basketball in the winter and is midfielder on soccer team in the spring. Likes basketball the most and figures that’s his best sport.

Summer highlights: Hanging out with friends and enjoying the Pilchuck River. Going back to school last week was hard, given the fun he had on vacation. “I was wishing for a little more summer.”

Good match: Moved to Granite Falls from southwest Washington when he was 5 and enjoys the pace at his school and town. “I like a smaller school like Granite. The classes are challenging and the teachers are all good.”

Winter getaway: Likes snowboarding with his friends at Stevens Pass.

Favorite author: Tom Clancy, particularly likes “Rainbow Six.”

Favorite movie: “I’m kind of a nerd. I like the Star Wars series.”

Longest run: Ten miles. “It was rough. I was dead tired after that one.”

Taking caution: Plans to treat his younger sister, Kacie, well when she enters Granite Falls Middle School as a freshman next fall. “She could tell stories in front of my friends.”

Future plans: Undecided about college and career.

Wheels: Gets a ride to school with his mom each day, which is fine with him.

Friend at home: Polar, a yellow Lab.

Favorite bands: Pearl Jam, Led Zepplin.

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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Jury awards $3.25M in dog bite verdict against Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace dog was euthanized after 2022 incident involving fellow officer.

Northshore School District Administrative building. (Northshore School District)
Lawsuit against Northshore School District reaches $500,000 settlement

A family alleged a teacher repeatedly restrained and isolated their child and barred them from observing the classroom.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council to vote on budget amendment

The amendment sets aside dollars for new employees in some areas, makes spending cuts in others and allocates money for work on the city’s stadium project.

Bryson Fico, left, unloaded box of books from his car with the help of Custody Officer Jason Morton as a donation to the Marysville Jail on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Books behind bars: A personal mission for change

Bryson Fico’s project provides inmates with tools for escape, learning and second chances.

Everett
Everett man, linked to Dec. 31 pipe bomb, appears in federal court

Police say Steven Goldstine, 54, targeted neighbors with racial slurs and detonated a pipe bomb in their car.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

Signs in support of and opposition of the Proposition 1 annexation into RFA are visible along 100th Avenue West on Thursday, April 3, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Voting underway in Edmonds RFA special election

Edmonds residents have until April 22 to send in their ballots to decide if the city will annex into South County Fire.

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Congress member Suzan DelBene speaks at a roundtable on Thursday, April 17 in Monroe, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
DelBene talks possible Medicaid cuts at Monroe roundtable

Health experts worry potential cuts to the program could harm people’s health, strain hospital resources and drive up the cost of care.

Everett officer-involved shooting leads to hours-long standoff at motel

Friday’s incident ended with SWAT members taking a man and woman into custody and the activation of the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.