Dixie N. Vee: Has won awards for customer service

Age: 17

Grade: 12

School: North Thurston High School

Hometown: Olympia

Parents: Michael and Heo Romano

Best personal achievement: Winning first place in customer service at the regional level for Skills USA, and third place at the state level

How I spend my time: I spend my time with family and friends along with school and work.

Favorite subjects: English and civics

Favorite movies: “Hurt Locker,” “G.I. Joe,” “Planet Earth,” “Transformers,” “Twilight”

Favorite book: “The Lost Boy”

Dream job: My dream job would have to be a dental anesthesiologist. I enjoy working with people and helping others with a great smile can most definitely boost up your self esteem.

Someone I respect: I respect everyone who comes across my path.

College I’d like to attend: Shoreline Community College

Someone famous I’d like to meet: I’d like to meet Frankie J. (R&B artist)

Someday, looking back on my life I’d like to be able to say: I would have never been able to do that if I wasn’t self-motivated and had the passion to succeed in life.

Biggest challenge facing teenagers today: Lack of self-confidence, initiative, and respect

One thing in the world I would change if I could: Looking back on our history and being thankful for what we have now.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years: I would love to see that I have accomplished the goals that I have set for myself. Starting a family, being happy and successful.

Staff comment: “I first met Dixie when she was a sophomore in my beginning class. Since then she has grown into a responsible student with natural leadership abilities. Last year I had asked her to compete in the Skills USA category of customer service. She placed first at the regional level and third in state. This year she has been appointed as a group leader in my advanced automotive program. She has also volunteered to supervise the ASB financing. She is also ready and willing to diagnose and repair automobiles and is typically the first to volunteer for an assignment regardless of the difficulty. That is just the way she operates.” Brian Stretch, automotive technology instructor, North Thurston High School.