ARLINGTON — Jessica Ludwig, 18, is a senior at Arlington High School.
Question: What do your folks do?
Answer: My dad is a commercial fisherman in Alaska and my mom was a stay-at-home mom and worked for our church.
Q: Which church?
A: Peace Lutheran in Silvana.
Q: Have you thought about what you want to do after high school?
A: I want to be a dental hygienist, so I’m going to Skagit (Valley College) and Bellingham Tech.
Q: What made you interested in that field?
A: I’ve always been the weird kid who likes going to the dentist. Doing some research, it sounds like I’ll like going to work and I’ll look forward to it.
Q: What kinds of books do you like to read?
A: It depends. I like some adventure books and I like Nicholas Sparks books. Every story that just is interesting gets me hooked.
Q: This is your last semester. What classes are you taking?
A: Government, physics, mythology, art 2 and athletic weight training.
Q: In your time at Arlington High School, have you had a teacher or other adult who’s been pivotal in your success?
A: I’d say (Joe) Marsh. He’s also my basketball coach and has been a teacher. We’ve had a lot of good conversations, and communication is really important to me.
Q: How many years have you played basketball?
A: In high school or total? Probably 12 or more.
Q: Any particular position?
A: This year I had to play post just because we were a smaller team.
Q: Did lessons you learned in basketball apply to other parts of your life?
A: That hard work can continue to take you very far. We’re a team that works hard and we went to state the past three years.
Q: Do you have a best friend?
A: I have a lot of best friends. It’s mainly my basketball team.
Q: Do you do any other school sports, clubs or activities?
A: I do track, too. Long jump, triple jump, high jump, javelin and hurdles.
Q: What do you like to do outside of school?
A: I like being outside most of the time, going on hikes, taking pictures, good sights, and I also go commercial fishing in the summer in Alaska.
Q: Is that for fun or to save up money? Do you work with your dad?
A: It’s work, so saving money for college. I work on my dad’s boat. That’s the only job that I’ve had time for.
Q: What’s it like?
A: Commercial fishing in Alaska consists of living on a 32-foot gill netter for nearly six weeks fishing long hours, every day.
Q: Is there anything you wanted to get done senior year, or that you have left to do?
A: I reached a lot of goals in basketball, just making first team Wesco North and co-MVP of Wesco North. Just enjoying my senior year and not taking it for granted.
Q: Tell me about some of your accomplishments in sports.
A: For basketball, our team placed fourth in state this year, second in state my sophomore year, and Wesco North champs for the past three years. For track, I’ve gone to state every year since freshmen year and hope to be going again senior year.
Q: Did you have a favorite class or subject in school?
A: I liked all of them. I can’t pick a favorite. I really like weight training. It doesn’t feel like a class. You’re just with your friends and working hard every day.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories of growing up in Arlington?
A: I’ve always been involved in sports, just growing up and meeting a lot of people through sports.
Q: Are there any athletes you’ve looked up to?
A: Randi Richardson. She was a basketball player here. I’ve really looked up to her since I was a little, little basketball player. She was really good and she had worked with me before and she was an assistant coach at one time.
Q: Is it bittersweet to be graduating soon?
A: The real world is coming but it’s also something to look forward to.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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