EVERETT — Cascade High School senior Edna Vetter, 18, had a rough start to life. But with the support of her adoptive family and her own tenacity, she is on her way toward success.
Question: You had a start to life that many would call rough.
Answer: I was born a drug baby. Because I got help right away, I didn’t end up with the problems many drug babies have. I was the lucky one. The only thing I have is nauseousness, which all drug babies have.
Q: Your foster parents adopted you as a baby.
A: I don’t really remember any of it other than what my mom and dad tell me.
Q: Did this affect your school life?
A: From lower grades to middle school, I had trouble. I’d have C’s and below. But the last two years of middle school, I got Cheyenne (Beck, then a teacher at Eisenhower Middle School). She helped me with a program that gets you higher in reading. My grades came around and they went up. Things have been easier since then. Well, certain classes — math, of course. Oh, math — math will always be my not-as-good class.
Q: So you enjoy reading?
A: I actually do now. Fantasy (is probably my favorite genre). Right now in class we’re reading a play, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
Q: You also volunteer?
A: I volunteer at the Everett Animal Shelter. … I deal with the public in trying to get dogs adopted. I started at age 13 at the end of middle school. I volunteer every Saturday … and when there’s events. And sometimes I’ll go in extra, like if there are puppies that need to be socialized. We get older dogs that don’t like to be touched. Some dogs take longer than others to open up. But at some point they do.
I’ve always really liked animals. I have two dogs. Sophie is a papillon we got from a breeder. Abby is a papillon-terrier mix and was from the shelter.
Q: What else are you involved in?
A: I’m part of Pokemon Club and Art Club. Pokemon Club is a place for all those who like Pokemon — both the card game and video game on Nintendo DS. We do tournaments in our own club and talk about others that are happening around. (In art) I do portraits. I normally do colored pencil or pencil.
Q: What is this thing I heard about? The “Nerd Herd”?
A: (Laughs) It was a name we made for our little group of friends. That name just sort of happened. We hang out a lot at school.
Q: So what’s next for you after high school?
A: I’m thinking I’m going to go to Everett Community College before I go to a four-year. I kind of want to do something in nursing.
Q: How does it feel to be a senior?
A: I feel the same, really. All my credits are in check, so I should graduate. There are some teachers I like, so I may come back to visit them.
Q: Is there anyone who inspires or mentors you?
A: My parents, Ron and Theresa, who have always been helping me and pushing me in the right direction.
Q: Any advice for incoming freshmen?
A: Don’t procrastinate! I’ve done that sometimes. Get your work done — it will save you. Go in when you need help.
Melissa Slager: mslager @heraldnet.com; 425-339-3432.
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