Central Kitsap School District

Hannah wasn’t sure she’d ever graduate after some struggles early in her high school career. Then, she gave birth to her daughter at 16 years old. 

Not only did she find a sense of community at Barker Creek Community School and turn her grades around, she finished her high school degree with the Barker Creek Virtual Academy while caring for her daughter. She has matured into a good student and a caring mother over the past couple of years. 

Hannah has a passion for children, and after graduation, she hopes to pursue an early childhood education degree at Olympic College while continuing to work at Treetop Village Campus and Infant Center. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools?

Meeting her best friend Lexi at Barker Creek. “I was so nervous I wouldn’t make any friends at Barker Creek and felt so relieved when she came up to me and said we should be friends.” 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

“Graduating and having my daughter.” 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“My mental health challenges and finding the determination to graduate.” She credits the staff at Barker Creek and her support system for helping her find the determination to overcome her adversity. 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“Hopefully on a farm. Maybe with some cows. But in all seriousness, I want to provide a good life for my daughter.” 

When Jaxsen arrived at Klahowya for his junior year, he was immediately intrigued by the potential of the “Friday Show,” a bi-weekly, student-made production shown at lunches on Fridays. 

Jaxsen took ownership of the project and proved himself to be a video production maven, bringing smiles and awe to students’ faces with the witty skits and stunning visuals. His wealth of knowledge in digital media and media arts made him an invaluable resource for students and staff at Klahowya. Jaxsen was a part-time student because he runs his own game development company with his family, which he started when he was only a freshman in high school. Jaxsen is passionate about game development, and has been since he was about 7 years old, as well as video production and design.

After high school, Jaxsen plans on continuing to grow his visual media company. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

Making lifelong memories with his friends by producing the “Friday Show.”

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

“Lifting the spirits of the school through the Friday Show.” 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“Maintaining the Friday Show’s biweekly status in a competent way along with certain work things and personal things.”

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“In a position where financially, everyone around me is taken care of and can do whatever they want, everyone is loved around me, and I’m in a position where I can help people in some sort of way.” 

Jerrick established himself as one of Olympic’s preeminent leaders by graduation.  

He was the ASB president and the heartbeat of several clubs at Olympic High School. He was the vice president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter, involved in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) club, and Key Club. He also won a gold medal twice (as a sophomore and as a senior) in architectural drafting at SkillsUSA’s state competition. Jerrick was also on the track, cross country, and swimming teams. 

Jerrick moved around the world as a child, as his father is retired Senior Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. Jerrick will follow in his father’s footsteps and attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, next fall. He said he chose the Naval Academy because of its driven student body.  

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

Either winning gold in his first year with SkillsUSA as a sophomore or speaking in front of the CK Schools staff at the kickoff at Integrity Roofing Stadium in August. 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

Becoming valedictorian. 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“Being consistent and just not giving up. There would be many times when I would go home after a cross country or a swim practice and I’d have all this homework and extracurriculars or I’d have to study for these things and I would say, ‘why am i doing this?’ Sometimes it would be sad just saying, ‘oh I don’t have any time for myself,’ but I got through it knowing there was an end goal.’

“I’d also say my teachers and the people around me were really supportive of me and understanding of my situation on a day-to-day basis. Ms. Donovan especially was always there when I needed someone to talk to.” 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“I hope that I have a beautiful family, a home near the water, a successful career at the Naval Academy, and I have a dog, and I’m happy.”

Jackson is a high academic achiever who strives to make the world around him better. 

He has a passion for applied mathematics and science, and pursued a heavy STEM course load at CK High. He has a deep passion for space, as well as the environment. As a four-year participant in CK’s Environmental Club, and as the president for the final two, Jackson implemented new composting bins and put the framework in place for a community garden on the CK campus. He was also a member of Key Club and was the vice president of National Honor Society. Jackson was a member of the CK track and cross country teams and enjoys spending time outdoors. Jackson was able to accomplish this while maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average, which, along with his challenging schedule and service to the community, earned him the distinction of valedictorian of CK High’s Class of 2024. 

Next year, Jackson is attending Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, and is studying either mechanical engineering or engineering physics.

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

Memories related to cross country and track meets, especially the state meets. 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

“Competing in athletics while having a social life has been the greatest achievement for me.” 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

Taking, and passing, AP Spanish. “The struggles connected to Spanish have been the toughest challenge for me.” He’s overcome it by capitalizing on the small class size to ask for extra help and instruction. 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“The pipe dream is astronaut. But wherever I may be, I hope to be exploring space in some capacity. If I’m one of the engineers building the rockets, I wouldn’t be mad.”

Adam loves his friends and he loves Klahowya. So when an opportunity to intern in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard’s work study program was presented to Adam, he was conflicted because it meant he wouldn’t be in-person for classes in his last semester at Klahowya. However, Adam decided to go through with the internship and he’s put himself in a position to succeed after high school while still maintaining his social life to the best of his abilities.

Adam is an active member of the Klahowya community, most notably his involvement in choir and boys soccer. Adam won a choral achievement award for being involved in choir his entire Klahowya career and was named a soccer captain in his first year on varsity. Outside of school, Adam enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and spending time outside with his friends. 

After high school, Adam plans to continue working at the PSNS while also finishing his associate degree at Olympic College. After that, he hopes to transfer to Western Washington University and study physics and mathematics in addition to completing his teaching certifications to someday become a teacher. He said the staff at Klahowya inspired him to teach when he was older, but especially his English teacher, Ms. Tresch, who made a profound impression on him despite teaching one of his least favorite subjects. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools?

Crowd surfing at junior year homecoming, meeting new people, and making good friends while participating in school musicals, specifically “Newsies.” 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

“Getting to lead the boys to state (for soccer) for the first time in a long time for our school, that was pretty cool.” 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“COVID was the most difficult challenge I had to go through. It killed my social life and took me out of the swing of learning. My work ethic was not as strong as it was. … I took some challenging classes that provided a reality check and had some awesome teachers willing to work with me and support me. They were very understanding and willing to accommodate the learning curve.” 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“I hope to be living the happiest life that I can possibly be living. I hope to have a family and I hope to be successful in any field I decide to go to, but I especially hope to be a teacher.” 

It wouldn’t be unusual to see Blake perusing “Baseball Savant,” Major League Baseball’s advanced statistics website, in his free time. 

An avid baseball fan, and a first baseman and pitcher for two years on the CK varsity baseball team, Blake also excelled as a student and was a member of Key Club. During COVID, Blake picked up golf and is excited to continue playing that sport into adulthood. 

Blake is heading for warmer weather next year, as he’s attending Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, to study sports business. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

Making friends through high school baseball. 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

“Passing all my classes. That was a big goal for me coming into high school and in middle school. I got it done.”

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“Getting assignments in on time because I’m a big procrastinator. I just kept thinking about how I only have three more months, two more months until graduation to get over that hump.” 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“Hopefully having a job or working for a Major League Baseball team, hopefully as a statistician or as an analyst.”

Joining Running Start was viewed as a risk in the eyes of many, according to Michaela. On top of that, Michaela sought an Associates of Science, an even more daunting challenge. 

Despite some doubts, Michaela was a 4.0 student in Running Start and a three-sport athlete at Klahowya in volleyball, basketball, and softball, the latter of which advanced to the state tournament in her senior year. Outside of school and sports, she loves spending time with her friends. 

She has already graduated from Olympic College with her Associate of Science degree. She will attend Washington State University in Pullman in the Fall. She is majoring in biology with the goal of becoming a veterinarian because of her love for animals. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

“All of the different friends I’ve made at Klahowya from sixth grade. Since it’s such a small school, your whole grade ends up being your friend. It’s such a small school and everyone knows everyone, you’re all interconnected somehow. It’s just a nice community that I’ve made here.” 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

Graduating with both her high school diploma and Associate of Science. “There were some times I wondered if the doubters were right and I couldn’t do it. … but I’m glad I stuck with it.” 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

Doing Running Start. “I could manage the hard classes, but I would say more of the backlash I received from doing Running Start from some people.” She overcame it by remaining confident in herself. 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“Hopefully I’ll be a veterinarian by that point … hopefully I’ve either gone to Europe or moved to Europe at that point. Most importantly I want to be happy and fulfilled.” 

When Yahir first arrived at Jackson Park Elementary (now named John “Bud” Hawk Elementary at Jackson Park), he didn’t know any English. “I was scared to go to school everyday because I couldn’t communicate with anybody,” Yahir said. It took only three years in the English as a second language program (ESL) - now currently referred to as the multilingual education program - for Yahir to catch up to his peers. 

Yahir took on a demanding schedule and graduated with the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes students who attained an intermediate-to-mid proficiency in English and one or more world languages. He was an active member in the school’s DECA program and participated in the DECA state competition. Above all else, Yahir has stuck up for others, possesses a strong moral compass, and has a strong commitment to social justice. 

Next fall, Yahir is attending Western Washington University in Bellingham to pursue his teaching degree. He said the impact the Klahowya staff made on him, particularly Ms. Steedman and Mr. D'Arienzo, inspired him to become a high school teacher. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

Either the Olympics-themed field day at Jackson Park or talking and sharing music opinions with Ms. Steedman at Klahowya. 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

Qualifying for state for DECA. “I didn't expect it at all but I had received fourth place in my marketing communications topic. Going to Bellevue and being able to enjoy the city with my friends was a really memorable experience that I don't think I'll ever forget!”

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“I used to get laughed at and teased because of my name and how it was hard to pronounce. I remember wishing when I was younger that I was white and had a normal name. (The teasing) wasn’t that bad, but it affected me a lot when I was younger. I remember wishing I had a normal skin color.

“It’s shaped the way I’ve grown up. I just don’t want other people to feel the same way I have … I became comfortable with who I am. Whenever I write down my name on essays or assignments, I write down ‘Yahir,’ because that’s just what I’m called. That’s my name. It’s nothing you should laugh at.” 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“I’ll be teaching. I wouldn’t mind teaching in CKSD. I want to stay in the area, or at least the Pacific Northwest. I just want to be a good teacher for students.” 

Ever since she was an elementary student at Brownsville, Kiyomi strived to be involved. Whether it was being a self manager or helping out the lunch room staff, Kiyomi was driven to put herself out there. 

Her attitude didn’t waver at Olympic. Kiyomi was the ASB executive vice president as a senior and was a member of the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) club. She proved herself to be a capable leader and a good student. Athletically, she played golf, basketball, and soccer at Olympic. Kiyomi was recognized for her contributions at graduation, received the "senior of the year" award.

She will attend Olympic College next year and will study sonography, fulfilling her dream of working in healthcare. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

The Camp Colman trip in fifth grade. “I loved it because we could just be a kid.” 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

Growing as a person and getting out of her shell to make friends and build communities after COVID.

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

Overcoming anxiety from grades, as well as mental health struggles. “There was a time where I could focus on myself and come together to overcome those struggles whether it was school work, grades, or even something little that bothered me.” 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“I really want to travel, so hopefully I’ll have a stable job to travel where I want to or have a family and live around here.” 

Phoebe finds joy in building community and helping others feel included. By graduation, Phoebe accumulated a whole lot of joy. 

In addition to being a diligent student, Phoebe was involved in Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) club, Future Health Professionals (HOSA), Key Club, and Environmental Club. She displayed a passion for fostering a welcoming environment and volunteering with those with similar passions. Phoebe also participated on the CK swimming team this past year – she said she wished she would have joined sooner. Outside of school, Phoebe enjoys art and gardening.   

After graduation, Phoebe plans to attend Olympic College for a year before transferring to a four-year university. She plans on pursuing a career in medicine. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools?

“The small moments with the ethnic clubs here and building more community.” 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

Being involved with ethnic clubs and pushing herself out of her comfort zone to improve her social skills. 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“I had incredibly difficult conversations with some teachers that actually helped alleviate the stress of navigating school on my own as a first generation immigrant. The importance of building those connections and practice of self-advocacy makes it easier in the long run. Participating in clubs helped me find a sense of community and build upon those skills.”

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“I hope to still maintain my values that I’ve expressed here at school like helping others and advocating for others, and just sharing my culture because that’s really important for me.” 

Staff members at Barker Creek sometimes joke that the Williams twins were “Barker Creek before Barker Creek.” 

Madison and Shyanne, who are identical twins, joined CK Schools’ Parent Partnership Program in 2016, about a year before Barker Creek Community School physically opened. After being homeschooled their whole lives, partially due to the doctor’s visits required for their younger brother’s leukemia diagnosis, Madison and Shyanne attended classroom-based school at Barker Creek for the first time during their freshman year. “We were like fish out of water. We were not used to mingling with other students our own ages,” said Madison. 

The two grew immensely during their time at Barker Creek and made lifelong memories with the staff. They were engaged students that the staff at Barker Creek will miss dearly. 

Both Madison and Shyanne were enrolled in Running Start last year and will continue at Olympic College next year. Madison plans on finishing her associate degree and enrolling in an EMT program, with the hopes of working in hyperbaric oxygen therapy so she can help other people with cancer, like her brother. Shyanne isn’t sure what she wants to study, but possibly something related to art or psychology. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

Madison: “For me it would be my homeroom teacher Ms. Lajoie. When we would do our outside P.E. and do what seemed like endless laps around the building or hikes in Illahee, we would always talk and we would have different conversations and it was really great. It gave me a sense of connection with someone.” 

Shyanne: “Any time with Ms. Cleveland. I loved spending time with her.” 

Both also mentioned Mr. Menefee was another teacher who made a profound impact on them. 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

Graduating and being accepted to Olympic College. 

Madison added: “Being all done with math.” 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

Shyanne: The social challenges of transitioning from homeschool to in-person instruction. Both Shyanne and Madison noted the staff at Barker Creek helped them feel included. 

Madison: “Education wise, the math, at least for me. I really struggled with the beginning math. … Ms. Erickson would let us come in for algebra tutoring. That was a big help.” 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

Madison: “I hope to be working in the hyperbaric oxygen therapy department at Virginia Mason.” 

Shyanne: “I would hope that I have a good lifelong career figured out.” 

Going into her junior year, Emma was determined to do Running Start – and do it even better than her older brother. But after failing her first two quarters, she was at a loss for what to do. 

Emma didn’t give up. She fought through it and recorded a 4.0 in her final quarter of Running Start. She then thrived in her final year in person at Olympic, both academically, athletically, and socially. Emma, who played soccer from a young age, was the varsity captain of Olympic’s team this year. She plays flute in the high school band and won the music department’s excellence award during Olympic’s senior award ceremony. 

Emma plans on attending Olympic College for two years before transferring to a four-year university. She has her sights set on sports medicine due to her experience with former Olympic High School athletic trainer Scott Peck, who helped her immensely as an “injury-prone” athlete.

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

Mr. Tebo kissing a goat on the nose because he lost a bet (formerly at Brownsville). …(it was) so great.” 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

Getting a 4.0 in her final quarter of Running Start and getting a 3.9 GPA in her senior year at Olympic. 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

Her initial failure in Running Start.  “It was a year filled with staying up until 11:59 doing six or seven assignments that were due a month ago. My boyfriend helped me out a lot.  It was more of me realizing I didn’t have to do the same thing my brother, who is a year older than me, did. … I realized I didn’t have to follow in his footsteps.” 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“I don’t want to be stuck in a dead end. … I want to have a house, I want to have a family, and I want to have a successful job where I’m not living paycheck to paycheck.” 

Kris never lets her disabilities get in her way of achieving her dreams. Kris gets sick easily, and the rigors of the school day can be especially taxing. But, she never let her disabilities get in their way of achieving her dreams.

Despite all of that, Kris is set to graduate with a respectable GPA and left a mark on Klahowya as a strong communicator and leader. Kris was heavily involved in Klahowya’s American Sign Language (ASL) program and was recognized as one of the department’s winners at Klahowya’s senior awards. Kris is also a leader in Klahowya’s Gay Straight Alliance. Outside of school, Kris enjoys art and painting and works part-time. 

Kris plans on spending two years at Olympic College before transferring to Western Washington University in Bellingham to study environmental studies. Above all else, she’s motivated to show other people with her circumstances that high achievement is possible. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

Going to her fourth grade teacher Ms. Thomas’ farm on a field trip. “I just remember having so much fun on that field trip.” 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

In general, learning how to deal and grow with her circumstances. 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

Kris’ disabilities were her greatest challenge. “Pushing through and proving to people that just because I get sick easily or because I am disabled or I am deaf, it doesn’t make me less of a person. Just telling myself ‘I can do things,’ or, ‘I can get through this.’ just those motivational things.” 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“I feel like I’m going to have my bachelor’s degree, working in wildlife biology, just making the world a better place.”

Jadon traveled around the country doing what he loves: dance. 

He did so while completing his coursework in Barker Creek’s Virtual Academy and graduated this past spring. He juggled his demanding ballet schedule and his school work admirably to ensure he received a high school diploma while working toward his ultimate dream. 

Jadon started at the Cary Ballet Conservatory in Cary, North Carolina, on full scholarship in 2023, and he’ll continue there next year with the hopes of auditioning for a professional ballet company in the spring.  

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

“My favorite memories (I have many) are from the years I spent at Emerald Heights Elementary, enjoying a very positive environment (thank you staff and teachers) and great times with friends.  Early adolescence is a time filled with so many new experiences and I'll always look back and be grateful for my time there.”

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

“I think there are many students like myself who feel that just graduating is a huge accomplishment.  Academics is not one of my strengths and there were times when I really struggled.  Being able to attend Barker Creek was a huge help though and with the support of Mrs. Zuber and Mr. Menefee I was able to meet my high school requirements without being restricted to the traditional high school student schedule, giving me the flexibility I needed to succeed.”

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“Math in general, but Algebra specifically, was very challenging for me.  With a lot of work, focus and extra time spent with my dad, I managed to get through it.  I never felt more relieved to finish any other class.”

Where will you be in 20 years? 

Assuming I get accepted into a professional company in the next couple of years, I'm hoping that 20 years from now I'll still be dancing ballet, maybe in the US or maybe in Europe, and still enjoying the thrill of performing on stage.  I also see myself teaching ballet, to pass on my knowledge and love of dance.” 

When Sally was applying for colleges, she was hoping her next school would fit a couple of criteria: 1) outside of Washington and 2) near a beach. 

The first one is checked off. With her second, she didn’t get very close. 

Nonetheless, Sally is excited for her next chapter at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she’ll be majoring in environmental science and running distance for the track team. It was a decision that seemed like fate for Sally – she applied to Baylor just hours before the deadline and was offered a spot on the track team after spontaneously bumping into the track coach during a tour of the campus. “Everything just came together … it just felt like the place to be.” 

Sally was a member of each of CK High’s girls cross country state championship teams her sophomore and junior years. She’s also the ASB secretary and involved in Key Club and National Honor Society in addition to being nearly a straight ‘A’ student. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools?

“Winning state for cross country (in 2022 and 2023) was pretty exciting. Back-to-back was pretty cool.” 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

“The relationships I built throughout high school. I was incredibly blessed to have a great group of friends, awesome teachers, and I feel like I learned a lot about how to be a friend and how to be kind to people.” 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“Deciding on what I wanted to do after high school. I wanted to go to a four-year college. I love Washington, it’s such a beautiful state but I’ve lived here my whole life so I wanted to take an adventure out of Washington. I just looked all around and had so many different choices it was like, ‘Woah. This is overwhelming.’ ” 

“I had great teachers, parents, and coaches to help me out. That definitely challenged me a lot, and I didn’t think I’d end up in Texas, but I’m excited for that. … I just knew eventually everything would come together. Just take time, pray on it, allow others to give me their advice and their help.”

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“I hope to work in the field, maybe as an environmental scientist, and then become a teacher. Probably a first grade teacher, or maybe a kindergarten teacher. That would be the perfect life.” 

When Savannah Steele was first pitched Washington as a place to live by her grandmother, she thought it would be a place filled with “old people and (Toyota) Camrys.” It ended up being so much more. 

Savannah, who is originally from Texas, eventually found Barker Creek and West Sound Technical Skills Center, where she completed the Professional Medical Careers program. She also experienced fun courses, like her creative fiber arts class, and credits the diverse schedule for helping her excel in school. Outside of class, she enjoys walking downtown with her friends, painting, fishing, cooking, and baking. 

After graduating, Savannah plans to attend Olympic College. Her goal is to become a registered nurse, partially to help care for her grandmother. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

Her friend Mila knitting her a beanie for her birthday in her creative fiber arts class, as well as the friendly environment and classes at Barker Creek. 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

Getting straight ‘A’s with the help of her teachers. 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“Realizing and accepting that asking questions is not an annoyance. Being confident in what I do has always been a challenge for me.” She credits her teachers at Barker Creek and West Sound Tech for helping her become more confident and strive for more. 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“I see myself in Washington, preferably in a small home – I kind of want a tiny home because they are really cute but I have a dog and a cat so that might be too small. But I hope to have my bachelor’s in nursing. I haven’t decided what path to go in but I maybe want to do pediatrics. I want to be a registered nurse and I want to be financially stable. That’s why I’m pursuing a really good career because I want to be financially stable. I have a dog and a cat so I need to provide for them.”

When Franklin first started at Klahowya in sixth grade, being “perfect” was always on his mind. But his pursuit of perfection prevented him from taking risks. Some advice from his English teacher, Ms. Tresch, pushed him out of his comfort zone: “Don’t let failure hold you back.” 

Franklin took that advice and spread his wings academically, athletically, and socially. He maintained a 4.0 GPA while playing varsity football and baseball, which won the 1A state championship his junior year. He also competed for the Klahowya math team at the state competition this past spring. He’s spent hundreds of hours tutoring and mentoring fellow athletes and was an active member in ASB and National Honor Society. 

Next year, Franklin is attending Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, to study engineering. He is the first member of his family to attend college. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

Spending time with classmates outside of school, especially Camp Colman in elementary school and traveling for state competitions in high school. 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

Winning the state championship for baseball his junior year. “As a team it takes a lot of hard work to accomplish something like that. … Knowing that we had the capability of doing that and we were working toward that for a couple of years, I’m really proud we were able to accomplish that as a team.” 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“Being so involved, you can fit into a lot of different lifestyles. Being an athlete, an active person in your school in ASB, and academics, it was always hard trying to fit in each world. I think that was something I struggled with being able to do all of those simultaneously to the extent I wanted to. … Learning how to manage those and not letting one drag me down from the rest helped me a lot. Working through that was a lot of organization in myself and finding time within myself to accomplish everything.” 

Where will you be in 20 years?  

“I hope I can say I’m a successful engineer, hopefully in the renewable energy field. That’s kind of my plan. I’d like to work somewhere where I feel like I’m making a difference in the world and helping others. … I also hope I will have a family by then and be in a good spot there.” 

When Alexia was a third grader at Brownsville Elementary, she was enamored with all of the technology and STEM offerings. She also had a passion for music and playing the violin. 

Next year, she’ll have the chance to combine those two passions at Western Washington University, where she will double major in computer science and violin performance. 

At Olympic, Alexia took on a challenging schedule and utilized the STEM offerings provided. She also was an officer for Olympic’s National Honor Society chapter as well as being in Key Club. Outside of school, she was a violinist for the Tacoma Youth Symphony, where she rose as high as concertmaster. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? Why?

“My AP Classes, because it was in those classes I made friends with other people who, like me, really loved going beyond, outside the box, and trying new things. … It inspired me to push myself and improve.” 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

“Being vice president of the National Honor Society. I’ve been in that club since freshman year and I’ve put a lot of time, effort, and volunteer service into it. I think it was awesome that I got to be a part of the club leaders this year and be a part of running stuff and making sure people were being represented the way they wanted to be represented. I feel like I’m very proud of that.” 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“Involving myself in social communities. … I saw groups of people who looked like they knew what they were doing and were super involved and knew all of these people. I felt very shy. I wanted to be a leader but it was hard because I didn’t feel like I was very social and outgoing. I felt like that got better over time and I worked really hard to be someone who is confident and has the qualities of a leader. It’s something I’m still working on and I feel like it’s important to have those skills.” 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

She hopes to follow in her father’s footsteps and find a secure job working for the federal government, ideally in cyber security. 

By Eleeyse’s senior year, she was an expert with her planner. She was involved in so many activities, on top of her classes, that she even required two planners. 

Eleeyse was involved in Key Club, National Honor Society, Knowledge Bowl, Environmental Club, and CK High’s book club in addition to being a varsity cheerleader for each of her four years. Eleeyse was also named Miss Poulsbo in 2023 on the platform of protecting Kitsap’s parks and trails, and spent several hours cleaning and restoring outdoor spaces around the county. She is passionate about hiking and her goal is to visit every national park.
Eleeyse is attending the University of Montana next year and will major in elementary education with a minor in ecological restoration. Her dream is to teach during the school year and be a park ranger in the summer. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools?

The NatureBridge trips in fourth and fifth grade. “Those were the highlights of elementary school.” 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

Becoming a distinguished scholar (18 semesters of AP or honors courses with no grades below a C) and becoming an AP scholar with distinction (4 or above on more than five exams). 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“Algebra 2, that was easily the hardest class I’ve ever taken. But I passed - barely. Overall, I learned to not give into hardships and remind yourself that there’s an end goal there.” 

Where will you be in 20 years?

“Teaching, family, maybe become a park ranger in the summer.” 

Landon takes being a student athlete seriously. Late night bus rides and a demanding practice schedule never deterred Landon from getting his coursework done. 

Landon played varsity baseball as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher and played varsity football for three years as an offensive center at Olympic while completing a demanding course load. Outside the lines, Landon was involved in the National Honor Society and the National Honor Society of Sports Medicine. 

Landon plans on continuing his baseball career at Olympic College with the hopes of transferring to a four-year college, ideally for baseball. “I realized baseball was more important to me than I thought and I wasn’t ready to give up baseball.” Academically, Landon hopes to pursue a career in athletic training thanks to inspiration from former Olympic High School athletic trainer Scott Peck. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools? 

Being around the people, bus rides going to sports games, and the Friday night lights for football games. 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

Athletically: Being eligible while varsity lettering. Academically: Being involved in National Honor Society and Sports Med clubs. 

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

Senioritis and finding perspective in his classes. He overcame it by realizing that things are “important because they are important now.” 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“I would love to say that I'd be finishing out a great MLB career and truly reaching that dream, but if not, I definitely hope to be somewhere in the workforce in something like athletic training or physical therapy, somewhere along those lines.” 

Donovan loves to push himself academically and he loves to express himself through art. 

Donovan was one of only a few CK High students to achieve a 4.0 GPA for his entire high school career while completing a rigorous course load, earning him the distinction of salutatorian for his graduating class. Donovan has also participated in dance from a young age. He plays the oboe for the CK band and the clarinet with the Kitsap Philharmonic. Additionally, Donovan was a participant in math club, Dungeons and Dragons club, and Knowledge Bowl. 

After high school, Donovan is attending his father’s alma mater, Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, where he plans to study physics and eventually receive his doctorate. 

Q&A

What is your favorite memory in CK Schools?

“The Victoria trip for the CK band, hanging out with my friends, exploring Victoria, and all the band kids with our inside jokes. It was a blast.” 

What is your greatest accomplishment in CK Schools?

“All of the work that I’ve put in and figuring out that I like said work. Just figuring out who I want to be.”  

What was the greatest challenge you faced in getting to graduation, and how did you overcome it?

“Procrastination, time management, and dealing with stress. Over the past year, I’ve really just tried to work on doing the work and not on the deadline.” 

Where will you be in 20 years? 

“I imagine myself as an entrepreneur working with something related to physics, which is why I want to work in fusion and fusion research.”