Myrinda Wolitarsky, 18, is a senior at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish. She strives to influence others with her positive energy. She’s been involved in a number of activities focused on helping others and received recognition for her efforts when her peers chose her as a homecoming princess. Wolitarsky has earned a full-ride scholarship at Central Washington University. There she hopes to pursue her goal of becoming as a physical therapist.
Question: What is most important to you?
Answer: I’m passionate about people. I love seeing the face of someone who’s happy. I’ll do the craziest things to make someone smile. Even if I people think I’m weird or I get laughed at, it’s rewarding.
Q: Tell me about some of the clubs you’re a part of?
A: I’m part of the Random Acts of Kindness club. We meet once a week to appreciate staff and students. We do anything to help brighten their day.
I’m in the Grizzly Club. It’s mentoring local elementary students.
I also do Link Crew. It helps show the freshmen around. It’s rewarding because you get to meet really cool kids and get to find out more about them.
Q: What motivates you?
A: I want to make a difference in this world. I want people to remember me.
Q: What things have you done to achieve that goal?
A: I love giving blood, so I helped organize the blood drive this year. We collected 64 units of usable blood. With each unit, three lives can be saved.
Q: I understand you are working on a water project?
A: We’re raising money for building a well in Africa. We have about 40 kids participating. You get a wristband for taking the challenge to drink only tap water for two weeks. The money you save on drinks is then donated to The Water Project, which uses it to build a well. You also drink out of your own cup, which eliminates some pollution from water bottles. I feel really strongly about this project. I think everyone should have the ability to drink clean water.
Q: Tell us about your athletic endeavors.
A: I teach swimming at the YMCA and I did swim team all four years. This year, I was the team captain and went to districts. To be the captain was a huge honor because I’m not the best swimmer. I was voted best teammate. It was really cool to see the girls appreciate me in that way. My swim coach, Rob Serviss, has been really influential. He believes in you even when you don’t. That was a huge thing that helped me.
Q: I understand you’ve done some theater as well.
A: I’ve been in drama all four years. This year, we did “The Boyfriend.” We got nominated for seven Fifth Avenue Theatre awards. I did hair and makeup, which got an honorable mention. It was great to be a part of that.
Q: What faith-based activities do you do?
A: I’m in One Voice. It’s a Christian club where we meet and learn more about the Bible. I’m also very involved in my church and the youth group. I’ve gone on youth conferences throughout the year. Those are an amazing time. I got to fly to St. Louis for one trip. I just love seeing the world.
Q: How have you done academically?
A: I’m president of the National Honor Society. I have a 3.9 GPA. I got an A-minus in advanced placement statistics, which was very troublesome. I would have been the valedictorian if I had gotten an A. I thought all my hard work had gone down the drain. But the dean of education at Central Washington University called not long after to tell me she wanted to offer me a four-year, full-ride scholarship because of my academic achievement. It includes room, board and tuition, which is worth more than $70,000. That was a huge surprise and a blessing.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: I want to be a physical therapist. I shadowed a physical therapist this year and I really enjoyed it. I’ll major in clinical physiology or exercise science.
Q: What made you choose physical therapy?
A: I really wanted to be in the medical field because I like helping people. But let’s face it, I can’t deal with the vomit. That’s why I decided physical therapy was a better way to go. My dream job is to be a traveling physical therapist because I love experiencing other cultures. I’d love to go to third-world countries and help people who don’t usually get physical therapy. I want to teach the local people around me so they can keep helping others after I’m gone.
Q: What do you hope to take away from your high school experience?
A: I was home-schooled through eighth grade. I came into high school a complete stranger to everyone. When people support you, it’s a lot easier to become who you want to be. I want to do that for others. Being nice, considerate and respectful pays off in more ways than you can imagine. And living life to the fullest is by far the best way to go.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com.
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