As the school year draws to a close, there are many outstanding seniors preparing to graduate. Featured here are a few of those amazing young role models: Stephanie Hoag, Kianna Leafaitulagi Fola, José Lopez, and Anngelina Gage (not pictured).

Stephanie Hoag – Aviation High School
“A leader in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. She is remarkable.” That’s how Principal Reba Gilman describes Stephanie Hoag.

Stephanie has been accepted at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. She will major in robotics engineering and also participate in their music program, where she will play cello.

Stephanie has participated on the FIRST Robotics Team for the past two years. She says, “It has changed her life.” She originally hoped to be accepted to the Naval Academy and be a fighter pilot. Through FIRST, she has committed to becoming a robotics engineer. Gilman believes “she will most definitely model the way for women in science, engineering, math, and technology!”

Through FIRST, Stephanie was eligible for a very prestigious scholarship…she applied and was awarded $135,000! She also won the Entrepreneurship award this year by writing a business and marketing plan for the team. She was in charge of the electrical system for building the robot. Her coach and teacher, Robert Steele, gives Stephanie credit as being the “glue” that has kept the team together and achieving successes at local, regional, and international levels where the team finished 5th out of 360 teams.

Stephanie is also an athlete – she played soccer for Highline High School her first two years of high school, and she has continued to take music lessons.

Gilman notes, “I think she has participated in every activity and event we have ever held at this school! She appreciates the value of small schools and the rigor of the learning that she has received.”

Stephanie attended elementary school at Marvista Elementary School and Sylvester Middle School. Thankfully, she developed a love of math and science in elementary school.

Kianna Leafaitulagi Fola – Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment
Kianna tell us that, “First and foremost, I live by my motto which is, ‘live life like every day is the best day of your life because you only live once so you shouldn’t waste it.’”

Kianna comes from a family of eight; three brothers, a sister, her parents, and grandmother. She’s been a Highline student from the beginning, starting at McMicken Heights Elementary, then Chinook Middle School, Tyee High School, and now graduating from ACE.

“Since I started school, I have always found it easy to connect with others and be a leader in my classes,” says Kianna. “But it wasn't until I got to ACE that I realized my full potential. In my sophomore year, my teachers really pushed me to become the leader I am today.”

After graduation, Kianna plans to work full-time to save for college – with plans to attend school starting either in the fall or winter quarter.

José Lopez – Global Connections High School
“José impressed me from the very beginning as an extremely bright young man with great leadership and academic potential,” said Principal Rick Harwood in reflection about José Lopez. His academic and personal achievements led to his selection for the Phyllis Gutierrez-Kinney Leadership Award, which includes a $5,000 college scholarship.

José has a 3.7 Cumulative GPA and has taken rigorous academic courses to achieve that GPA. He has taken math and science courses all four years and is currently in trigonometry and AP physics. Teacher Suzanne Welch, commented, “You amaze me with the passion and dedication you apply to all of your work. You are genuinely becoming an agent of change, and no one has pushed you to that more than yourself. You are truly inspiring!"

As a leader, José has also distinguished himself among his peers and impressed the adults in the school community and beyond. He and several friends formed a Latino club. Since the formation of Latino Stand Up Movement (LSU), José has lead the organization to encourage Latino/a students to take school seriously and plan to go to college. He and another Global student chose as their required junior activism project to focus on educating Latino parents about the importance of encouraging their children to go to college. He and members of LSU planned and organized an event for parents of Latino/a students to learn more about college and find financing for tuition. Harwood observed, “It was the most successful event ever held for Latino parents at our school and one we plan to make an annual event."

The latest effort José is leading within LSU is to establish a mentoring program. This will pair up older, successful Global Latino/a students with younger, struggling students to help them find their way to success in school.

José has demonstrated in many ways his skill, passion, dedication, and capacity for success and community leadership. He plans to pursue a four-year degree and some day, maybe even a law degree.

Anngelina Gage – Puget Sound Skills Center
Taking a variety of classes at PSSC, including criminal justice, culinary arts, and leadership and management in business, led Angie to discover her passion which is culinary arts.

Angie describes herself as a fast learner who, once she learns the task works to improve proficiency - a skill she sees as valuable to any employer. She loves working on a team and is seen as a motivator.

Through her internship at Stanley and Seaforts in Tacoma, Angie learned many of the essential techniques and knowledge needed to pursue her career.

While she sees the technical aspects she’s learned at PSSC and through her internship as valuable, she’s learned life skills in the Leadership and Management in Business program. The teaming skills and leadership abilities will be invaluable in any working environment.

Angie plans to attend the Western Culinary Institute of Le Cordon Bleu and pursue her passion to become an executive chef.