Provide the student’s name, age, grade, school name, telephone number and/or email; a quote about the student from a school staff member; and the name and contact information of the nominator.
Kosta Psaltis
Age: 18.
School: North Thurston High School in Lacey.
Grade: 12.
Parents or guardians: Greg and Mary Ellen Psaltis.
Best personal achievement: Placing 10th at cyclocross (a form of bicycle racing) nationals during my freshman year. I trained arduously for the event and with the support of my team was able to pull off a great finish.
How I spend my time: Outside of school I enjoy riding my bike, being with friends, and watching, analyzing and discussing anything related to “Survivor.”
Favorite subjects: Government, U.S. and world history. Crunching numbers is fun too.
Favorite movie: “Amélie.”
Favorite books: “Harry Potter” series by JK Rowling.
Dream job: Diplomat. I could live abroad, learn new languages and perform meaningful work.
Someone I respect: Barack Obama and all past presidents. They have to deal with unrealistic expectations and a constant stream of negative energy, not to mention loads of stress.
The hardest part of being a student is: The long nights and early mornings. Everything takes time, and sleep usually gets the ax.
My future ambitions or career aspirations include: Pursuing my interests in government and international relations until I find job of consequence or discover other interests.
Someone famous I would like to meet: Jeff Probst. We would talk “Survivor,” especially in regard to how I could make it onto the show.
Someday, looking back on my life, I’ll be able to say: “Veni, vidi, vici.”
Biggest challenge facing teenagers today: Being social, studious and sleeping. There is usually only time for two.
One thing in the world I would change if I could: Environmental degradation. The Earth is typically put on the back burner when it comes to love and attention. You can’t neglect your mother and expect everything to turn out okay.
Nominated by: English teacher Nani Duvall, who wrote, “Kosta is an outstanding student who has a great work ethic. He is intellectually curious and is always striving to do outstanding work.”
Emma Dougherty
Age: 17.
School: Tumwater High School in Tumwater.
Grade: 12.
Parents or guardians: Mark and Connie Dougherty.
Best personal achievement: I have earned college credit on four advanced placement exams so far, with two more coming up in May.
How I spend my time: Working at Faith Lutheran Childcare, studying, shopping, watching “Criminal Minds” and playing solitaire.
Favorite subjects: English and journalism. I am senior editor of my school’s student newspaper.
Favorite movie: “The Princess Bride.”
Favorite book: “The Catcher in the Rye” by JD Salinger.
Dream job: Entrepreneur in the fashion industry.
Someone I respect: My parents for making sacrifices for us kids and teaching us by example.
The hardest part of being a student is: Balancing schoolwork, extra-curricular activities, college and scholarship applications and fun.
My future ambitions or career aspirations include: I want to major in fashion merchandising at George Fox University and become a buyer for a high-end clothing store.
Someone famous I would like to meet: Mark Zuckerberg.
Someday, looking back on my life, I’ll be able to say: “I looked at the bright side and made the best of every experience.”
Biggest challenge facing teenagers today: Pressure to succeed in many activities and arenas.
One thing in the world I would change if I could: I would change people’s attitudes so everyone was positive, compassionate and hard-working.
Nominated by: Social studies teacher Tom Taylor. He wrote, “Emma D. is an exceptional student but more importantly she is a total out-doorsy, woodsy, survivalist kind of gal. It’s not unusual to find Emma spending her weekends alone in the mountainous wilderness with nothing more than a moon blanket and a spork.”
