Twenty Phase I Scholars attended their first DO-IT Summer Study session at the University of Washington in July 2008. They learned about college life and prepared for college and careers. Throughout the year, they communicate with each other, DO-IT participants, and DO-IT Mentors. They use the Internet to support their academic studies, and they complete projects in exciting fields that include science, engineering, mathematics, technology, and business. After completing Summer Study 2008, these participants graduated to Phase II.
Hi. I am Yomara. I'm a junior in high school. Participating in DO-IT Summer Study was my first time away from home. I was a little nervous but very excited. I have spinal muscular atrophy type 2, which is why I use a power chair to get around. Doing well in school is my number one priority. I am a member of the National Honor Society and am a page editor for my school paper. I have a passion for chocolate and the color pink. :)
Hi. My name is Mack. I am a senior at Global Connections High School in SeaTac. I have cerebral palsy. This summer, I worked with Global Visionaries in a hospital in Guatemala. I am in a spoken word poetry group and am a DECA officer. Basketball, football, track, and baseball are my favorite sports.
Hi. I am Erica. I have limited use of my right arm from an injury at birth. I plan to pursue medicine and study oncology at Harvard. I love sports and have been involved in volleyball, soccer, tennis, basketball, and cheerleading. I don't ever let my disability stop me.
Hi. My name is Russell. I am a junior at Liberty High School. I have Asperger's syndrome. I love driving my car. I enjoy baseball and video games. I am currently in ROTC and hope to continue ROTC in college. Once I graduate, I would like to join the military.
Hi. My name is Sam. I am a home-schooled senior and attend some classes at my local high school. My favorite classes are band, pre-engineering, and anatomy. I enjoy running long distance on the track and cross-country team, playing the trumpet, building with legos, and playing video and computer games such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Harvest Moon, and Trauma Center: Under the Knife. Even though I have dyslexia, which means I have trouble with my reading and writing, I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter book series. After high school, I may attend a community college or technical school.
Hi. My name is Collin. I am goalie on the soccer team and defensive end for the football team at Juanita High School. I have taken advanced placement history and math classes. I like debate and history. I would like to go into politics after college. I have dyslexia.
Hi. I am Emily. I am a senior at Vashon High School. I enjoy sports and the outdoors. I am on the track and cross-country team at school. I am an avid skier, but I also enjoy river running (rafting), hiking, mountain biking, and cliff jumping. I have dyslexia and dysgraphia. I have been looking forward to being a DO-IT Scholar since eighth grade!
Hi. My name is Derek. I am a senior at Snohomish High School. I have a non-verbal learning disability and dysgraphia. During the summer, I am a youth camp counselor. Counseling helps prepare me for a career as a middle school history or band teacher. Currently, I am in the school band, play soccer, and referee indoor and outdoor soccer games. I enjoy playing video games and having a good time with friends.
Hey. My name is Nejowa. I'm a junior at Global Connections High School in SeaTac. Because of spinal tuberculosis, I have used a wheelchair for the past six years. I take my education very seriously-so when I am working on my school work, don't bother me! (grin) I would like to have a stable career, so a college education is important to me. I like to play basketball, and I am a Junior Sonic. I also participate in track-and-field. I have a lot of energy! I like to sing and sang at my school talent show last year. My absolute favorite star is Chris Brown. I love to hang out with friends, socialize, and make people laugh. Once I start laughing I can't stop. I look forward to meeting new friends at Summer Study.
Hi. My name is Marco. I am a junior at Ballard High School. I hope to study science at the University of Washington and then pursue a master's degree at MIT. I really enjoy robotics, biology, computer science, and math. I look forward to meeting more people with disabilities, especially people with Asperger's syndrome like me.
Hi! My name is Christopher but I go by "Chris." I am going to be a junior this fall. I like to ride my bike and play video games like Super Smash Brothers Brawl. I also enjoy shooting hoops in my backyard. History is my favorite class and I want to be a historian. I also enjoy the sciences, especially studying animals and space. My favorite type of music is country, and my favorite country group is Rascal Flatts. I plan on attending the University of Oklahoma.
Hi. My name is Carolyn. I will be a junior at North Central High School in Spokane. I love to study, and I really enjoy history and English class. I love to wear necklaces.
Hi. My name is Christine. I will be a junior at North Central High School in Spokane. I have cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. I participate in track-and-field, cross-country running, and basketball. I hope to play in collegiate wheelchair sports at either the University of Arizona or Illinois. I like to spend my free time in the gym, weight lifting or on the treadmill.
Hi. I am Nate. I have a learning disability that affects my reading and writing. I use technology as an accommodation whenever I can. I just graduated from Pullman High School (a year early) and will start my studies at the University of Idaho this fall. I currently work at McDonald's. I have enjoyed my work there, but I also look forward to new challenges and opportunities in Idaho. I am hoping that the skills I gain through DO-IT will help me to pursue new challenges in work and in school.
Hi. My name is Aaron. I live in West Seattle and attend Chief Sealth High School. I have dyslexia, which affects my word retrieval skills. I am a member of the ACE (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering) Mentor Program where we meet and participate in activities such as designing a theater. I play Ultimate Frisbee and am on the cross-country running team at school. I am learning computer programming, which I enjoy.
Hi. My name is Wesley. I am a junior at Toledo High School. I use a power chair to get around because I have quadriplegia. Someday, I hope to be a psychologist working with children or families. One of my favorite things to do each day is watch Dr. Phil. In my spare time, I like to read autobiographies.
Hi. My name is Erik. I am a junior at Burlington Edison High School. I would like to be an accountant. I have Duchenne muscular dystrophy. I am a New England Patriots fan and love watching sports. I also love watching the History Channel and playing strategy games.
Hi. My name is Brianna. I am going to be a junior at Woodinville High School. I can walk, but I sometimes use a wheelchair because I have cerebral palsy. I also have some visual and hearing impairments. I use Pidgin Signed English (PSE) to communicate in large crowds or in a classroom. I hope to go to community college and then transfer to a four-year college. I would like to have a career working with children with special needs. I love bowling and riding horseback. In my spare time, I like to read and knit.
Hi. My name is Shelby. I am a senior at Eisenhower High School. I have had a brain tumor, which has some effect on how I learn. My favorite class is American Sign Language, because someday I would like to be a sign language interpreter. My two favorite activities are paint ball and motorcycling. I enjoy going to church and participating in debate club. In my spare time, I like to create arts and crafts.
Hi. My name is Jeremy. I just graduated from Cheney High School (a year earlier than expected). I am going to take a year off of school to work and save money before attending either Spokane Falls Community College or Eastern Washington University. I have cerebral palsy and play wheelchair rugby and basketball. I am also involved in weight lifting, archery, track-and-field, and table tennis. I enjoy reading fantasy and science fiction books. I am also learning Japanese.