Aimee Brotten
MarysvilleA freshman at the University of Southern California, pursuing a BFA in Dance and Masters in Public Administration. Aimee graduated with honors from Marysville Getchell High School, and Everett Community College with both her diploma and Associate’s Degree. Aimee hopes to become a world renowned choreographer, with her own performance company. Aimee uses her clean beach project to promote environmental consciousness. She organizes trips to local parks to fill trash bags with harmful plastic.
Alexis Perdomo
MonroeAlexis is a senior at Monroe High School. As a varsity track and cross-country runner, as well as a premier soccer player, she also has a passion for art and volunteering. Born with a condition called Pectus Excavatum, she underwent two major surgeries to prevent her sternum from compressing her heart and lungs. Because of her struggles, Alexis aspires to attend college to become a pediatric nurse, while minoring in a fine arts degree.
Allyie Larsen
Kitsap CountyAllyie, 14, is known by all for her confidence and ambition. She has run charity drives throughout her schooling career and plans to continue as she enters high school. Allyie aims to be the influencer teens need today, one who shows their flaws shamelessly. She also has hopes of a future career in the drug-trafficking wing of the FBI. Allyie is a strong, independent individual and would make a great role model for Washington’s youth.
Angelique Dela Cruz
University PlaceAngelique, a resident of Lakewood, was elected Sophomore Class President this year. She enjoys singing, dancing, listening to old R&B music, pole vaulting and is a successful DECA competitor. She is a member of the Tacoma Youth Chorus and is passionate about volunteering in her community. Her future goals include becoming Miss Washington Teen USA 2021, attending college and earning a degree in Biochemistry in hopes of becoming a clinical biochemist to help diagnose and manage diseases.
Ashley Berginc
South SoundAshley, a 16-year-old Junior at Lake Stevens High School, dreams of becoming a clinical therapist after graduating from the University of Oregon with the hopes of obtaining a Masters in Sociology. Currently, she is enrolled in Running Start in order to earn her Associates Degree when she graduates. Ashley started an organization called “IMPACTeens: Empowering Today’s Teens Through Volunteering,” and will someday pass a bill for mandatory community service hours every month from ages 13-17.
Athena Ortega
AuburnAthena is a junior attending Holy Names Academy. Aside from being on the varsity tennis team, an ASB representative, and a Jr. Officer in National Honor Society, she serves as a pianist and a volunteer at her local parish. Having experienced selective mutism at a young age, she has started an SM awareness blog called My Voice Can Be Heard, discussing how young people can overcome their own anxiety. She aspires to become a cardiologist.
Ava Gonzalez
Puget SoundAva’s an all-state athlete, Dean’s List pre-nursing student, HS senior and nominated Tedx speaker. Ava’s passion for resolving global issues is evident as a Model United Nations Vice President/Senior delegate. An advocate for turning personal traumas into superpowers, Ava founded the free, nationally scoped, therapeutic organization ENACT (Eliminating the Normalization of Abuse as Cultural, Together) to give voice to young women of color whose abuse stories have been silenced due to racial injustice.
Brooklyn Bender
Snohomish CountyBrooklyn is a 17-year-old high school senior who aspires to become a forensic psychologist and consult on criminal cases in the future. Inspired by her own life experiences, Brooklyn raises awareness about teen mental health and self-esteem issues through her initiative, Minds Over Matter which helps struggling teens connect through shared experiences and healthy activities. In her free time, she loves to travel and explore the beautiful local lakes and trails throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Caylen Johnson
Pierce CountyCaylen, 16, is a junior in high school. She is currently enrolled in running start, in hopes of graduating high school with her associate degree. Caylen enjoys sports including swimming, bowling, and tennis, and is an active member of the National Honors Society. Caylen also plays guitar and has an avid love for music of all genres. She is a self-proclaimed nerd who loves acting, modeling, animals, computer gaming, fishing, hiking, and all things Marvel.
Destiny Al-Jararheh
Black DiamondDestiny is a proud representation of the American dream. As a second-generation Arab-American, she’s a firm believer in the right of speech and the power that words have. She polishes her speaking skills as a running-start college student and a competitive speech and debater. She puts her talents to use as an advocate for women’s rights with the organization Equality Now. In her free time, Destiny enjoys traveling, writing poetry, and reading political novels.
Elise Kim
Federal WaySixteen year old Elise Kim attends Thomas Jefferson High School as a full Honors IB student. While driven to succeed in academics, she is passionate about performing her talent and leadership through competitive dance and Class Senate. Her free time is spent volunteering at a non-profit organization called MILAL; she engages and builds friendships among students with disabilities, as she holds a vision to become a specialized doctor one day.
Evie Mae Lupfer
GrahamEvie Mae, 14, has five brothers who are her best friends. She likes to watch anime with her oldest brother Blake, movies with her second older brother Steve, talk to her third older brother Zack, and play with her littlest brothers, Harry and Casper. Her biggest dream is to become an actor and star in movies and TV shows. JoJo Siwa inspires Evie not to listen to negativity and to work hard and be herself.
Hannah Merritt
ProsserGraduating with an Associates Degree at 17, Hannah is passionate about promoting equality for all races and genders. Earning scholarships for her research, Hannah advocates for STEM and inspires confidence in children through her initiative #Sassandsmarts. As Captain and MVP of her cheer team, Hannah is an experienced leader on campus and in her community. As Miss Washington Teen USA, Hannah strives to create a scholarship fund for STEM students in low income areas.
I’Lani Harvey
Greater PuyallupI’Lani loves being active, participating on her high school cheer and gymnastics teams, and aspires to become a lawyer. At just 16 she wants to be the change in today’s world. Meeting new people and making them feel welcomed, she helps out wherever and whenever she can. This year I’Lani hopes to be a voice for all girls, inspiring them to speak and stand up for what they believe in, even if they’re standing alone.
Kate Dixon
Normandy ParkA Junior at Bellarmine Preparatory School, Kate is in the national honors society, a varsity cheerleader and tennis player, while also learning Mandarin. From Seattle, Kate is a very active member of her community and loves giving back to organizations like Lutheran World Relief Services, Friends of Youth, and Camp to Belong. She spends her summers working at her family’s design showroom and someday hopes to become a Home Stager.
Kiana Miles
SammamishKiana, 15, is a sophomore at Skyline High School in Sammamish. She aspires to become a Social Worker to help children in the foster care system and she is working towards making it a reality. Kiana has grown to love the pageant and fashion industry. Her interests include singing, traveling, fashion,and helping others. Being the eldest sister Kiana is patient and kind. She thanks all of her sponsors.
Lily O’Brien
King CountyLily is studying both Political Science and Communications at the University of Washington, and will pursue a career in politics. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, she is an active dancer, debater, athlete, and violinist. Lily is also the recipient of two President’s Volunteer Service Awards and has completed over 2,000 community service hours. Inspired to do more, she founded the 501(c)(3) non-profit, Hunger Won’t Wait, to tackle hunger and food insecurity.
Lorelei Bruce
Daffodil ValleyLorelei is a 15-year-old girl who currently lives in Orting, WA known for its small town feel and scenic views. She enjoys sewing, reading and watching Grian on YouTube with her dad. While volunteering four days a week at her local food bank, she attends Sumner High School and performs in the color guard. Lorelei aspires to study at Washington State University be a herpetologist as well as work in historical costuming.
Mackenzie Kuiken
South BendMackenzie, a 14-year-old freshman at South Bend HIgh School, is working towards her goal of becoming a sports physical therapist. Most of her free time outside of school is playing four sports. Her love of sports encouraged Mackenzie to create an organization called, Girls With Game, that encourages girls to join sports and helps get them the equipment they need. Mackenzie uses the platform to promote self-esteem, making new friends and being active.
Novalee Lewis
West TacomaNovalee is a Junior at Life Christian Academy where she is on ASB, the School Spirit Representative, on National Honor Society, and participates in the school’s Student Leadership Institute. Novalee’s platform, “A Dancing Queen: Empowering Youth Through Movement”, helps students who do not have access to extracurricular activities in hopes of closing the activity gap. Novalee trains in all styles of dance and is currently traveling the country as an assistant to professional choreographers.
Pearl Cave
ChehalisPearl is a resident of Napavine Washington and a high school graduate class of 2020. Before Pearl graduated, she served her school’s wrestling team for four years and during her senior year placed 4th at regionals, and later went to state. Pearl is hoping to coach other kids who are also passionate about wrestling. She has many passions such as advocating women’s wrestling and speaking about the importance of understanding mental health.
Rachel DeAngelis
PullmanAt 16, Rachel graduated High School with honors and is currently a Sophomore at Washington State University. She has received several college academic scholarships and awards, majoring in Sports Management and double minoring in Business and Communications. Her goal is to work for professional sports teams worldwide. Rachel aspires for educational reform by creating and implementing KAKIS (Keep American Kids in School), an inclusive program for students to overcome financial, mental, and social obstacles.
Raechel Benson
North SeattleRaechel, 17, is a sophomore at Shorewood High School. She participated on the school gymnastics team representing Special Olympics, acted in the school musical, Legally Blonde, performed at Seattle Children’s Theater and Broadway Bound. Raechel will work on starting a Best Buddies Program at her high school next year. She loves fashion, design and creating so she started a patch-making business, 321Patches. Raechel plans to study fashion at Shoreline Community College when she graduates.
Tara Gardner
SeattleTara, 16, has been born and raised in Seattle. She is in 11th grade at Nathan Hale High School. She plays tennis, piano, does track, and has been skiing since age 3. During her free time, she enjoys photography, cooking, reading, and playing video games. Tara is half Vietnamese and half Caucasian. She is very connected to her Vietnamese heritage and wants to bring awareness to racism and oppression towards Asian people.
Yolanda Escribano
West Thurston CountyYolanda is a Senior in high school, and a full-time running start student. She will get her Pre-Med degree at the University of Washington, and become a Psychiatrist to continue to advocate for individuals who experience mental illness. As an Afro-Latina, she hopes to inspire BIPOC women to follow their dreams and take up space in underrepresented fields. She would like to say thank you to her community for their support.
