LYNNWOOD — Julianna Brutman is a Lynnwood High School senior and swim team co-captain who has a deep-seated interest in biomedical research. She has received several science awards.
Question: I understand you transferred to Lynnwood High School from Minnesota in your junior year. Was it hard to start over midway through high school?
Answer: It was a change, but life throws changes at you. We moved here Aug. 15 (2013) and I was at my first swim practice the 25th. Swim team was really a great way to meet a lot of people.
Q: What was your reaction when your parents broke the news?
A: I initially was kind of shocked. I grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, which is pretty much as Midwestern as you can get. It was a good change overall.
Q: What was your first day of school like?
A: It was a giant blur. Fortunately, I’d met Isabella (Brumbaugh), co-captain of the swim team. The only thing I really remember is she waved me over to her lunch table. I am extremely grateful she has been there for me.
Q: How long did it take before you felt like you belonged at Lynnwood High?
A: I guess I never felt like I didn’t. Lynnwood is a very accepting place. It didn’t take me long to find a group of friends.
Q: So you are a swimmer and co-captain of the swim team. Tell me about that.
A: We are the team where everyone is included. We had girls at the start of the season who didn’t know how to swim. We recruited hard. Isabella is one of the smartest people I know. She is an awesome co-captain. We believe everyone deserves to be cheered at the meets. Our coaches are excellent.
Q: What classes are you taking?
A: AP (Advanced Placement) Lit(erature) and Comp(osition), AP Government, French II, AP Physics, philosophy and honors pre-calculus.
Q: What are your plans for next year?
A: I will be going to a four-year college. Where I’m going I don’t know. University of Chicago is my first choice. I’m also applying to the University of Washington, Western Washington University, Princeton and Washington State University.
Q: I understand you have a long list of extracurricular activities.
A: At Lynnwood, that list includes peer mediation, National Honors Society and LINK crew in which upperclassmen help freshmen make the transition to high school.
Q: What do you want to do when you are done with school?
A: It changes a lot but right now I’m leaning toward pediatric oncology. I’m very interested in epigenetics, which could be the key to solving many different diseases.
Q: What is something that might surprise people to learn about you?
A: I credit my intelligence to my parents, not necessarily pushing me along but giving me the freedom I needed to learn. They would take me to museums and it was PBS-only (television).
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I like to hike and hang out with friends. I also have three dogs who are very much into playing fetch.
Q: I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask your dogs’ names.
A: They are Dessie, Daisy and Mini. They are all pound dogs.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
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