Question: You’re a commuter, splitting time between Everett Community College and your high school. How does that work?
Answer: I’m at the college in the mornings, then I go back to Marysville Arts and Tech Monday through Thursday afternoons. I really like my high school. It’s small, about 400 students. I started in the Running Start program at the college my junior year.
Q: Unlike a lot of young people, you’re set on the types of careers you want to pursue. How did you narrow your choices to accounting, finance and technology fields?
A: Looking for a career, you have to ask yourself three things: What can you do? What do you want to do? And what it pays.
Q: You have studied science and technology in and out of school. What were some of those experiences?
A: In 2008, I went to a summer science camp at Everett Community College. We learned about everything from bottle rockets to electric motors. It was really stimulating to a young kid. Later I went to a Geek Squad Summer Academy. We had to take apart a computer and put it back together. At Marysville Arts and Tech, I took a computer applications class. I took the test and am Microsoft Office certified. I’ve learned Excel and some programming.
Q: Do you plan to go to a four-year university next year?
A: That’s my dilemma, whether to finish my AA here and enter four-year school as a transfer student or go straight to a four-year school. There are advantages to both. If I get an AA here in business, I might be able to get an accounting job to pay for college.
Q: Since 10th grade you’ve been part of the National Honor Society, which requires academic achievement and community service. Tell me about tutoring with that group.
A: We’re trying to set up a tutoring class at 10th Street Middle School. Last year, we were tutoring mostly sixth-graders in math. As young tutors, we know what the kids are going through. It’s really about that one-on-one.
Q: You’re also in Drama Club at Marysville Arts and Tech. Are you an actor?
A: No, I’m in technical theater. I work behind the scenes, painting sets and doing technical stuff. This month, we created a haunted house. I have made close-knit friendships through drama.
Q: What are some favorite free-time activities?
A: I enjoy playing the harmonica. I’m mostly self-taught, but my grandpa played and taught me. On TV, I like “The Big Bang Theory.” I read ebooks, fantasy, horror and sci-fi. I like the interactive “Choose Your Own Adventure” series.
Q: You live in Everett now, but have moved several times in recent years. Has that been hard?
A: I went to Marysville Middle School and was living with my dad. Then I moved to my mom’s in Everett. I also lived with my grandma, but I’m back at my mom’s. I was always able to stay in my schools. My mom lives a short walk from the college. I take a bus or get a ride to high school.
Q: Tell me about your senior project.
A: I plan to get donations of pet food for low-income older people. It’s terrible for elderly people to have to choose between buying food for themselves or for their pets.
Q: It’s not unusual to have a junior prom picture, but there is something unique about yours.
A: I sewed my date’s prom dress. I was living with my grandma for a year, and she’s a real seamstress. I believe in learning things that are useful.
Q: What else would you like to share about yourself?
A: One of my personal beliefs is to always have a goal. I’m usually doing something. I like to stay upbeat and happy.
Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460, jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.
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