Are you an Asian American student graduating from high school or college? You may be eligible for the Northwest Asian Weekly’s Outstanding Graduates column.
To qualify, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.6, have overcome personal adversity, or are an outstanding athlete, community volunteer, or artist.
Erik Kariya
Roosevelt High School
“My general plan is to put myself in position to get a rewarding job with which I will support my family. I want to hold onto my values and morals and pass them to posterity.”
Erik Kariya looks good when it comes to numbers. The National Merit Finalist scored a 2210 on the SAT, placing him in the 99th percentile of all students who took the college entrance exam.
Kariya might not be one to toot his own horn, but he made some tunes as trumpet section leader of the Roughrider Marching Band.
In 2008, Kariya was recognized as Poet Laureate by the Roosevelt Student Voice.
Don’t think that Kariya is all work and no play. He was the sports editor for his high school newspaper.
Kariya also had a good run on his high school’s baseball team. He has received varsity letters since 2007 and was voted “most inspirational” this year.
As if that wasn’t enough, the athlete has time to give back to the community. Kariya completed 129 hours of community service, which included volunteering as a French horn teacher and a baseball camp mentor.
Kariya graduated with a GPA of 3.9 and will enter the University of Maryland – College Park honors program this fall. He plans to study print journalism.
Tiffany Oh
Roosevelt High School
“I want to become an urban planner because I can envision myself designing and organizing the future of a city. I hope that … I will improve people’s lives and make a positive impact on a city.”
Tiffany Oh knows how to strike a chord with her community. Having played piano for 12 years, it’s no surprise.
Oh played for two orchestras at her high school. She received superior ratings at the National Junior Music Festival on four occasions and nabbed third-place at the Central Washington University Piano Sonata in 2008.
But Oh isn’t just interested in striking up a tune. She is on the Seattle Mayor’s Youth Council and has developed numerous proposals to the Mayor to promote youth programs in the city.
Oh was vice president of her high school’s National Honor Society. She was also vice president of the Junior Classical League, which promotes an appreciation for Greek and Roman language, literature, and culture.
Oh graduated with a GPA of 3.9 and plans to study city/regional planning at California Polytechnic State University this fall.
Christine Yamaguchi
Lindbergh High School
“Christine is one of those truly rare individuals who manage to be incredibly intense without being overbearing.” — Robert Nicholson, teacher
Christine Yamaguchi’s gymnastics record shows that she has a knack for tumbling, but the athlete also managed to find balance in other areas of her life as well.
Yamaguchi has been active in her schools’ student governments since the first grade. She held officer positions throughout high school and served as a senator during her junior year.
In 2008, Yamaguchi was recognized by the American Association of University Women for her achievement in mathematics. She was also selected by the Renton Rotary Club as the student of the month.
Yamaguchi put a spring in her step as a club gymnast. She competed in state gymnastics competitions alongside her younger sister Aleyna, and served as co-captain of the team during her junior and senior year.
Yamaguchi shared her talents by teaching beginning gymnastics at Hart’s Gymnastics.
Yamaguchi took a stab at hurdling and pole vaulting for her high school track team.
Yamaguchi graduated with a GPA of 3.9 and plans to study chemical engineering or biology at the University of Washington this fall. ♦