11 minute read
2023 Senior Spotlights
The following are Q&As with valedictorians from Cornerstone, Lynden, Lynden Academy, Lynden Christian, Meridian, Mount Baker and Nooksack Valley.
Christina Johnson
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School: Cornerstone Christian
Grade-point average: 3.98
Where will you attend college? I will attend college at Redeemer University, located in Ontario, Canada.
As a child, what was the first thing you wanted to become when you grow up?
As a child, I always wanted to become a teacher. Now, I have a greater interest in graphic design and travel. What are your career plans?
Alex Matthews
School: Lynden
Grade-point average: 4.0
Where will you attend college? Dallas Baptist University.
As a child, what was the first thing you wanted to become when you grow up?
I’m pursuing a degree in business and media, hoping that someday I could be involved in the film industry. I chose this career path because it combines almost if not all of my interests such as art, travel, nature, design and entertainment. What is the greatest thing you gained from your K-12 experience? What is the greatest thing you gained from attending your high school?
The greatest thing from my K-12 experience that I gained was cultivating my talents into something impactful and ben-
Lydia TerBeek
School: Lynden Christian Grade-point average: 4.10 eficial for my future. During my high school years, I also gained a stronger sense of leadership. Who is your role model?
Where will you attend college? I will attend Oregon State University, pursuing a degree in computer science.
As a child, what was the first thing you wanted to become when you grow up?
As a kid, I really wanted to be a dentist. I saw the attention to detail and problem-solving skills dentistry required and thought that I would be good at it. I have realized now that there are other jobs out there that allow me to utilize the skills I have without needing to look at people’s teeth.
My mom, who’s also my principal, who has been such a good example of diligence and hard work. She inspires me to try my best and to complete everything to the best of my ability. What do you hope to be doing in five years? In 10 years? In 20 years? I hope to be graduated in five years, with my degree in business. In 10 years I hope to be financially stable, hopefully
What are your career plans?
I fell in love with computer science after taking a UW programming class sophomore year and haven’t looked back since. I hope to find a career where I can apply my computer science skills creatively and for the benefit of the community around me. What is the greatest thing you gained from your K-12 experience? What is the greatest thing you gained from attending your high school? The greatest thing I have gained from my K-12 experience is how to define and find success, whether academically, socially, or mentally. From attending Lynden Christian, I have learned the importance of knowing when you game of basketball. married, and in a good job. Twenty years, I hope to be relatively successful, with a family. What is the most important thing in your life? have outgrown certain limitations and expectations, and when it is time to move on.
What are your career plans?
I will be majoring in Sports Management at DBU. I hope to get a job in the field of sports, potentially as an athletic director or a coach.
The most important thing in my life is my faith, as it guides every aspect of my life, from choosing a career to how I spend my time.
Who is the most important person in your life?
The most important person in my life is my boyfriend, Nathan, who has helped me out so much emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Who is your role model?
Emma Watson is my role model because of her advocacy for gender equality, her philanthropic work, her dedication to education and learning, and because of her role as Hermione Granger from one of my favorite childhood book series. What do you hope to be doing in five years? In 10 years? In 20 years?
In five years, I hope to have graduated from college, prepared with the necessary skills to succeed in the workforce. In 10, I hope to be working at a job that actively makes a positive difference in peo- ple’s lives, and in 20 I hope to be semi-retired and living on a small homestead in Italy somewhere.
What is the most important thing in your life?
Creativity is the most important thing in my life. It is what drives me to explore new ideas, express myself, and find meaning in everything I do.
Who is the most important person in your life?
The most important person in my life is my mother. She has always been there for me through thick and thin, providing unwavering support and unconditional love. Her guidance and encouragement have helped shape me into the person I am today, and without her, I wouldn’t exist.
Growing up I dreamed of being a professional basketball player. I spent countless hours at my driveway hoop, dreaming of playing at the highest possible level. While my basketball playing career is over, my hope is to get a job that keeps me around the
Anja Lovegren
School: Lynden
Grade-point average: 4.0
Where will you attend college? I am planning to attend college at the University of Washington for a pre-med or nursing major. As a child, what was the first thing you wanted to become when you grew up? When I was little, I always wanted to be an artist when I grew up. I loved to draw and dreamed of the day when I would have a studio all to myself, just for creating art. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned
Campbell Nolte
School: Lynden
Grade-point average: 4.0 that art is a hobby I love, but not something I want to make my future career. I think basing my income solely off creating art would take the joy out of my hobby. Instead, I want to have a practical career that will challenge me and give me a stable income so I can enjoy my other hobbies. What are your career plans?
Where will you attend college? I will attend Whatcom Community College pursuing a Direct Transfer Agreement and transferring to a University seeking a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering.
As a child, what was the first thing you wanted to become when you grow up?
I plan to pursue a career in either nursing or something connected with medicine. I chose this career because I enjoy learning about the human body and wanted a practical job where I will be surrounded by people. What is the greatest thing
One of the things I’m most looking forward to at DBU is their sports internship program. I know this opportunity will help me in my future career.
What is the greatest thing you gained from your K-12 experience?
The greatest thing I have gained from my K-12 experience is the community and friendships I have created over the years. I have gained lifelong friendships and plenty of memories I will cherish forever. My greatest high school experience is winning two state basketball titles. Each was a very rewarding journey that brought its own unique challenges and opportunities to grow. What is the greatest thing you gained from attending your high school? Memories. Surrounded by my people and the town of Lynden, I was blessed to experience unique moments promoting special feelings that I can only hope to experience more of.
Who is your role model?
My dad, Jason, is my role model because he is a man of faith who is dedicated to his family. He puts others first and is a great leader.
What do you hope to be doing in five years? In 10 years? In 20 years?
I hope to have a job in sports management, coaching some level of basketball in five years. I hope to impact the younger generation of basketball players in some way in the next 10 years and beyond. What is the most import- ant thing in your life?
My faith is the most important part of my life. My faith in the Lord Jesus Christ shapes my character and the decisions I make for my future. I value the time spent at church, in youth group, and mentoring others. Who is the most important person in your life? My family are the most important people in my life. I have a really close relationship with my sisters and parents. I am thankful for all the memories and laughs we have together as a family.
As a kid I dreamed of being a professional football player. Football was where I felt fulfillment. Since then I have found myself seeking new possibilities and am ready to see where life takes me.
What are your career plans?
I plan to become an architectural engineer. From the time I was young to now, I have felt compelled toward the ins and outs of architecture and the building process that must be taken.
What is the greatest thing you gained from your K-12 experience?
My friends. Through the fundamental years, I had the pleasure of developing great relationships with friends and mentors that I will cherish.
What is the greatest thing you gained from attending your high school?
Memories. Surrounded by my people and the town of Lynden, I was blessed you gained from your K-12 experience? What is the greatest thing you gained from attending your high school? to experience unique moments promoting special feelings that I can only hope to experience more of.
Who is your role model?
My role models are my parents. I aspire to become an individual that others look up to just as I look up to my parents and everything they have taught me.
What do you hope to be doing in five years? In 10 years? In 20 years?
In five years, I hope to be graduated with a degree and in the beginning of an exciting sufficient career.
In 10 years, I hope to be married, buy a home, and start a family
In 20 years, I hope to the best role model I can for the ones looking up to me, sharing my experiences and giving those after me the greatest opportunities.
What is the most important thing in your life? My personal well-being, as I enter the next stage of my life full of uncertainty, I emphasize making decisions for myself that will lead me to happiness and contentment.
Who is the most important person in your life?
The greatest thing I gained from my K-12 experience would be the learning process of interacting with others. I have been surrounded by so many different kinds of people, and this has given me the opportunity to learn how to serve people in many different ways. The greatest thing I have gained from attending high school is the friendships I have formed with people. I have made friends with and been befriended by so many amazing people, including teammates, classmates, coaches, and teachers. They have been with me the whole way
Dean Visser
School: Lynden and continue to bring me joy and be an inspiration to me.
Grade-point average: 4.0 both at Lynden High School and Whatcom Community College. Where will you attend college? I’ll attend Montana State University in the fall. As a child, what was the first thing you wanted to become when you grow up?
Who is your role model?
My parents are my role models because they both love the Lord and are always seeking to live out their faith. Both are very patient and thoughtful, and love to serve others. Their willingness to think of others instead of themselves is a quality that I admire and look up to them for.
What do you hope to be doing in five years? In 10 years? In 20 years?
In 5 years, I hope to be out of college and working as a nurse, hopefully living close to my family. In 10 years, I hope to be married and have my own family. In 20 years, I hope to be raising my kids and enjoying time with my family. into the Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program at Montana State University. If not there, then I’ll apply to other CACREP programs in states where I’ve wanted to live and who meet other criteria that I’m sure to develop throughout my undergraduate experience. I was inspired by my own counselor who I’ve been seeing for a little over a year now as well as my general psychology professor, Erin Graham. From both I’ve learned much about the practice and field which has led me to my current undertaking
What is the most important thing in your life?
My faith is the most important thing in my life because it teaches me how to view life and how to serve God and others.
Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
Jesus. He has been with me through everything, guiding me through my struggles and loving me always. He has given his life for me, so I know I can give my life to him.
The first thing I wanted to be when I was young was a paleontologist. I really loved dinosaurs when I was younger, but as I’ve grown, I’ve realized since then that the things we love can’t always be the focus of our careers. From there, I thought about being an astrophysicist when I had no conception of the difficulties in pursuing such advanced careers. I determined in my early high school years that I wanted to either become a lawyer or epidemiologist. The former after taking a criminal justice class at high school, the latter when I found interest in biology. Most of the changes occurred with new experiences, as is common from high school experience. What are your career plans?
What is the greatest thing you gained from your K-12 experience? What is the greatest thing you gained from attending your high school?
I think the friendships I’ve made during my K-12 experience are the greatest thing I have gained. Without them, I certainly wouldn’t be the person I am today. They made much of my high school experience amazing. They contributed to the memorable experiences that will stick with me throughout my life, even if some weren’t the prettiest moments! I think the greatest thing I gained from attending my high school was integrity. From my time there I began learning more about myself, and those things ultimately provided
God. He is the man responsible for all that I have received and the one that continues to bless me with his guidance through life. See Dean Visser on
I’m in the pursuit of becoming a professional mental health counselor. My plan is to pursue a bachelor’s in psychology, minoring or double majoring in economics. From there, I hope to be accepted
Ethan Williams
School: Lynden
Grade-point average: 4.0
Where will you attend college?
I plan on attending Calvary Bible Institute at the beginning of 2024.
As a child, what was the first thing you wanted to become when you grew up?
As a kid, I wanted to become a pastor, and I still do.
What are your career plans?
After attending Calvary Bible Insti-
Lucy White
School: Lynden
Grade-point aver- age: 4.0
Where will you attend college? I will attend Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, California next fall.
As a child, what was the first thing you wanted to become when you grew up?
The first thing I wanted to be when I grew up was a teacher and that dream still holds true to this day. I remember setting up all my stuffed animals in my imaginary classroom and teaching all my students about all the different shapes and colors for hours upon
