Graduating from: International Community School (Kirkland) 

RASKC Team: Cat-Care Team at Kirkland Petco 

How your graduation experience will be unique due to the pandemic: “I think that there will definitely be some experiences I’m sad to miss out on, since we didn’t get to do a lot of senior traditions leading up to graduation at my school. But I’m excited to graduate in a large space (T-Mobile Park) and grateful to the school district for doing what they can to help give us a unique graduation experience!” 

Hoping this will continue post-pandemic: “People being considerate of others when they’re sick, including wearing masks and staying home if they don’t feel well. I also think it would be cool to offer more at-home learning opportunities, since even though it didn’t work out for me I know it helped some of my classmates.” 

Most proud of in the last year or two: “Being able to help out at school through clubs like ASB (Associated Student Body) and Green Team, and getting a scholarship for my piano at college.” 

Looking forward to: “Being able to have a picnic with friends and getting ready for college!” 

What’s next: “Heading to Whitman College undecided!” 

Most memorable volunteering experience: “Definitely walking Sweetie Pie throughout the store. She was an older, slightly overweight cat, and needed walking once in a while. Everyone always loved seeing her whenever we walked her in Petco. We’d always come back to the room with a crowd trailing behind.” 

Advice to new RASKC volunteers: “To wear long pants when working with cats! Some of them really like to dig their claws in. Petting them is a lot more enjoyable if you don’t have a claw in your leg. Getting to interact with the cats was easily the best part for me. I hope that any new volunteer gets to play with a lot of cool animals :)” 

Will you volunteer after graduation?  “Yes, but I’m not sure where yet! I believe there’s volunteer opportunities on campus to try.” 

Fun fact: My family “really likes trying Japanese snacks, and we have been enjoying a continuous Christmas gift subscription box with different themed samples each month. We also have a dog named Kokoro! Koko for short.”