Meet some of our graduating seniors from the Class of 2023. We invite you to find hope and be inspired by what they have to say about their future plans, favorite teachers, memories and advice for future students.
Congratulations to these seniors and all of our graduates. You did it, and we are so proud of you!
Class of 2023
Riley Pierce
Raisbeck Aviation High School
Future Plans: I plan on attending the University of Washington to major in Atmospheric Sciences.
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? I have spent a lot of time at school with Ms. Olson, our Biology Teacher. As the Club Advisor for Environmental Club and Key Club, her dedication to both clubs is unmatched. She is one of the many Highline instructors who put care and willingness into everything they do.
Highline Highlight: The talented and engaged instructors dedicated to me and my classmates' success.
Advice for Younger Students: Never let a soul tell you that you can’t be exactly who you are!
Summer Huck
Mount Rainier High School
Future Plans: University of Washington, majoring in Biology
Activities: Swim, Soccer, Track and Field
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Shirli Martinez
Highline High School
Future Plans: Attend college for psychology to help my Latino community with mental health issues, emotional damage and cultural changes in their lives.
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? Miss Cruz had a great impact on me. She has supported and encouraged me to continue with my studies. Her words of scolding have helped me to become the person I am and what I can be.
Highline Highlight: The Highline community taught me to grow. It has allowed me to develop and learn to open up to people. I've learned that goals in life are too important to leave and give up.
Advice for Younger Students: Be strong, your goals are important and you are important, don’t forget that.
Siem Samuel
Tyee High School
Future Plans: Seattle Central, majoring in Dental Hygiene
Activities: Tennis, Basketball, Baseball
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Harmony Grace
Tyee High School
Future Plans: I plan to study human-centered design and engineering at the University of Washington.
Advice for Younger Students: The most valuable piece of advice I can offer is to always remain curious and explore your passions. It's important to stay true to who you are and embrace your uniqueness. Pursue your passions with all your heart and you will find fulfillment beyond your wildest dreams.
Highline Highlight: Looking back at my time in Highline Public Schools, my most meaningful experience was being a part of the Y-Scholars program. As a freshman, I was uncertain about what high school would bring, but joining Y-Scholars made all the difference. Through this program, I found a supportive community of peers and mentors who helped me navigate the challenges of high school.
Gabriel Le
Tyee High School
Future Plans: University of Washington, majoring in Business
Activities: Basketball, Baseball
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Montgomery Robertson
Raisbeck Aviation High School
Future Plans: I'll be studying Bioengineering at Washington State University.
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? My middle school science teachers Mr. Evan Murphy and Mr. Shawn Connolly from Chinook. My physics teacher Mr. Scott McComb and my biology teacher Ms. Chelsea Olson from Raisbeck.
Highline Highlight: This year in Key Club we attended our club's first PNW District Convention (DCON) which was full of amazing experiences. I enjoyed spending time with my club and meeting Key Clubbers from all around the PNW.
Advice for Younger Students: Get involved in extracurricular activities to make friends and be part of a community to develop valuable skills that you'll need later.
Kevin Hoang
Evergreen High School
Future Plans: Becoming a successful lawyer and attending the University of Southern California!
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? Mohamad Shibly and Jon Morehead at Evergreen High School. Both are very skilled basketball players and also skilled in the classroom. They taught me how to be a leader and continue to shine their positive outlook and attitude on other kids!
Highline Highlight: Meeting new amazing people, working and collaborating with people, and motivating each other to grow into good individuals!
Advice for Younger Students: Put your foot in the door, try new things, and work hard to achieve your goals!
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Ashna Ram
CHOICE Academy
Future Plans: Attending Pacific Lutheran University in the fall to study criminal justice.
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? Mrs. Crawford Harris at CHOICE Academy always made an effort to get to know students and was always friendly.
Highline Highlight: Ninth-grade school dance
Advice for Younger Students: Life improves. Give it time and don’t give up.
Dayana Escobar
Tyee High School
Future Plans: I plan to attend Green River College to major in electrical engineering.
Activities: Soccer, Basketball, Softball, Track and Field
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Angelika Austria
Highline High School
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Future Plans: Nursing at the University of Washington - Seattle
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? Mr. Ruby is the most kind-hearted teacher I’ve ever met. He genuinely cares about his students and tries his best to get to know everyone as an individual. Mr. Ruby always goes above and beyond for the people around him, and I’m grateful I had him as a teacher.
Highline Highlight: Being able to grow up in a diverse community. It builds character and prepares you for life after high school where you will continue to work with people from all different backgrounds.
Advice for Younger Students: Start strong your freshman year because it will benefit you in the long run.
Katie Box
Highline High School
Future Plans: The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, major in fine arts, acting for the camera
Activities: Cross Country, Gymnastics, Drill, Tennis
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Alexis Lee
Raisbeck Aviation High School
Future Plans: Aerospace engineering at Purdue University
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? Mr. McComb from Raisbeck Aviation High School. Thank you for believing in me, even when I didn't.
Advice for Younger Students: Be kind, smile lots, and spread love. Rise to the challenge, and work hard. But also celebrate the little things, spend time with the people you love, and eat ice cream when you're sad. Time literally flies!
Jacob Brown
Highline High School
Future Plans: Pacific Lutheran University, majoring in Education
Activities: Football, Wrestling, Baseball
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Nancy Aline Martinez-Jimenez
Evergreen High School
Future Plans: To work as a nursing assistant and attend Bellevue College.
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? Ms. Jane and Ms. Wendy from PSSC. Mr. Hermsen, Ms. Sally, Ms. Escobar and Mr. Townsend from EHS. All of them took the time to make learning fun.
Highline Highlight: I don't have a Highlight but I will say that I enjoyed all the events that Evergreen High School had.
Advice for Younger Students: Keep your grades in mind. We all know it's important but what's more important is having fun and actually enjoying high school.
Aliyah Ramirez
Evergreen High School
Future Plans: I plan to attend Western Washington
Activities: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Nate Anderson
Raisbeck Aviation High School
Future Plans: Attend Western to pursue computer engineering with bio or medical specialty.
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? At Raisbeck Aviation, Ms. Farrell was very patient with me in mathematics. It made a difference.
Highline Highlight: Being encouraged in excellence in academics and teamwork. Making great friends at Raisbeck even throughout covid! Online at that time gave me the opportunity to build relationships and make a great group of friends with like minds.
Advice for Younger Students: Know that teachers care and can change lives. Read, read, read! Make math fun and team up with others to figure things out when you’re struggling.
Neidy Avila Ramirez
Raisbeck Aviation High School
Future Plans: University of Arizona, majoring in Astronomy
Activities: Soccer, Track and Field
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner, Evergreen High School
James Martinez
Puget Sound Skills Center
Future Plans: Trade School and or Apprenticeship
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? Mr. Poplin from PSSC has been a great teacher to me. We can joke around and laugh with him but also be great workers.
Advice for Younger Students: Don't wait until the last minute to do any schoolwork. Take your portfolio work seriously, they will definitely help you in the future.
Liberty McElfatrick
Mount Rainier High School
Future Plans: I plan to attend Linfield University to major in exercise science
Activities: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Malia Goda
Mount Rainier High School
Future Plans: Studying astrophysics/aerospace at the University of Washington!
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? Mrs. Sutherland, my sixth-grade teacher at Marvista. I’ve always been an avid reader. She used to let me take home dozens of books over the weekend from her own classroom library. My love for fantasy and literature was greatly propelled by Mrs. Sutherland.
Highline Highlight: My sixth-grade walking field trip to Seattle. My dad chaperoned and bought us candy at Pike Place Market. I felt like the coolest person ever!
Advice for Younger Students: Enjoy school while it’s free!! The homework can be burdensome, but take advantage of the privilege of free education. Learning can be fun if you let it be.
Steven Luong
Mount Rainier High School
Future Plans: I plan to attend UW to major in computer science
Activities: Tennis, Basketball, Track and Field
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Naomi Collins
Mount Rainier High School
Future Plans: I plan to attend Seattle Pacific University, studying political science.
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? My junior year History teacher Mr. R. Wallis made the biggest impact on me. He was very kind and sarcastic throughout my time here. Whenever I was stressed, I would step inside his room and all my stress would disappear. I would tell Mr. Wallis about what's going on in my life and he would always have a snarky comment or a genuine clap back.
Highline Highlight: Being able to be a part of my track team and become close with my coaches and teammates.
Advice for Younger Students: Forgiveness is more impactful and beautiful than holding hate towards another.
Keilana Park
Tyee High School
Future Plans: University of Washington, majoring in Pre Architecture and Urban Planning
Activities: Basketball, Softball, Volleyball
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Yaritza Bonilla
Highline High School
Future Plans: Attend college and study medicine.
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? Mr. Peterson, Mr. Pilaphil and Mr. Tony. They always gave me encouragement and advice.
Advice for Younger Students: Focus on what you want for your future and work to achieve it.
Max House
Mount Rainier High School
Future Plans: Business/Finance
Activities: Cross Country, Track and Field
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Aracely Duran Arias
Highline High School
Future Plans: University of Washington, majoring in Nursing or Dietetics
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? Miss Zuber truly helped me and made me feel loved, cared for and respected. I felt like I could accomplish anything!
Highline Highlight: Attending Gregory Heights, Sylvester, PSSC and Highline and the amazing teachers and staff members. Completing my CNS clinical hours at Seattle Children’s.
Advice for Younger Students: Making mistakes means learning and growth.
George Huynh
Evergreen High School
Future Plans: University of Washington, majoring in education
Activities: Cross Country, Wrestling, Track and Field
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Netzai Evangelista
Highline High School
Future Plans: Pursuing my Ph.D. at UW in biomedical engineering focusing on neuroscience
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? Mrs. Jessi at Highline was always there for me and helped lift me up when I was struggling or burnt out.
Highline Highlight: Being a part of the band and finding community in all of the different clubs I was a part of.
Advice for Younger Students: It’s a lot better to regret the things you did instead of regretting all the things you didn’t do. Get involved as much as you can! It’s really what makes high school enjoyable.
Josh Libao
Highline High School
Future Plans: Highline College, majoring in Computer Engineering
Activities: Cross Country, Swim, Track and Field
2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Alexa Weinmaster
Raisbeck Aviation High School
Future Plans: Studying Political and Environmental Science at Barnard College of Columbia University.
What teacher or staff member made an impact on you? Dr. Carmichael and Mr. Tendler. Thank you for channeling my interest in politics and helping with the transition into college.
Highline Highlight: The connections I've made and the amazing teachers and staff who always encourage me to be better.
Advice for Younger Students: Don't overwork yourself too much, focus on academics but also dedicate time to having fun with family and friends.