Student of the Month February 2023
Juanita High School
Elizabeth Orswell is a hardworking, compassionate individual with a strong sense of leadership. She exemplifies these skills in her different communities such as swim team, student government, band, and more. She has a passion for history and was selected as one of 70 students from around the world to attend the National History Academy last summer, and her goal in life is to pass along this passion to others through world travels and becoming a teacher. She plans to go to college on the East Coast and pursue these interests after she graduates in 2024. Working through the challenge of balancing work and life, plus re-finding her joys and aspirations after the obstacle of the pandemic, Elizabeth is continuing to find ways to give back to her community through involvement in volunteer work, coaching and mentorship, event planning, and more. Her most important contributions have been teaching swim lessons for the children in her neighborhood and organizing a number of outreach programs through her local library and her school's National Honor Society.Lake Washington High School
A senior at Lake Washington High School, Elena Ferry has always been passionate about making sure people feel seen, heard, and accepted. She is involved in a variety of activities at school and in her community including Theatre, Environmentalism, LINK Crew (freshman mentorship program), and various other art forms. She plans to continue her studies in college next year with a degree in Environmental Studies or something similar. She is very passionate about sustainability and hopes to follow a career in this field after college. Her activism led her to be the president of her school's Green Team for two years as well as a regular volunteer with YMCA's Earth Service Corps. Through these programs, she has been involved in multiple environmental restoration and educational events. Elena has also been treasurer for her school's Theatre Club for two years, and just last year earned a varsity letter in Theatre through the International Thespians Society. She has been avidly involved in this program for all four years of high school and hopes to continue after she graduates. Outside of school, she enjoys working at Anna's Art Lab, practicing aerial skills at the Kirkland Dance Center, and spending time outdoors.