February 2022
Juanita High SchoolA senior in the Cambridge program at Juanita High School, Riva Gore is actively involved in several clubs and leadership positions at her school. After conducting a research project on period poverty in her Global Perspectives and Research class her sophomore year, Riva saw the prominence of menstrual inequity and period poverty in the local community and took action by founding Period Club at her school to raise awareness about these issues and advocate for free products in school bathrooms. Since its founding, Period Club has been running a drive that has collected almost 10,000 products, pushed for free menstrual products in school bathrooms, and successfully advocated on a state-level for free products in Washington state's school bathrooms. Along with Period Club, Riva is also the president of her high school's DECA chapter, through which she helps prepare students for competition and promote entrepreneurship and business in future generations of leaders. Over two summers, Riva has volunteered as a Science-Educator-in-Training for the Pacific Science Center's Camps for Curious Minds. After graduating, Riva plans on majoring in a STEM field while on the pre-med track and hopes to attend medical school to become a surgeon specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.
Lake Washington High School
Cassi Bull has always been told that the joy and optimism she brings to the table helps spark similar joy in those around her. A dedicated, compassionate, and optimistic student, she is very involved in her school community. She serves as senior class vice president, and works toward making the school community a place where everyone belongs. She participates in LINK Crew (the freshman mentor program) and has been involved in the Theatre and Choir programs, founding and serving as co-president of the A Capella Club. After volunteering at a local elementary school in their special education room and working at a local early childhood Montessori school, Cassi found her passion lies in working with children. With this, she is planning to attend college next fall to work toward a degree in the child studies department. She has designed and conducted a research project surrounding the effectiveness of different engagement strategies for students with Severe Cognitive Disabilities, which culminated in a full academic research paper, published in the Journal of Student Research. She placed first at state in National History Day Competition, and has been credited as an AP Scholar with Distinction and a National Merit Commended Scholar.