2019 Scholars

Aidan, ‘19 Scholar

Hello, I’m Aidan. I attended Sammamish High School, and I participated in both the journalism and debate clubs. I love to read and write, and, for higher education, I’d like to focus on science, English, and history at a school like the University of Washington or Whitman College. I plan on earning a master’s degree in journalism. I like to travel and have been to Africa twice and visited Russia for the World Cup. My dream job is to own a bookstore or cafe and live upstairs with cats.

Alexis, ‘19 Scholar

Hi, my name is Alexis! I am attending Digipen, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in digital art and animation. My goal is to be an animator. I hope to have my own cartoon series online. I played trombone in my high school’s pep band and participated in Knowledge Bowl. I enjoy video games, Doctor Who, and anime. I love musicals; my favorites are Little Shop of Horrors and Be More Chill. I have autism. I was a DO-IT Intern for Summer Study 2022.

Alison, ‘19 Scholar

Hello, my name is Alison. I have an auditory processing disorder (APD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I’m a student at Green River College. I’m considering being either an archivist or a librarian.

Carlin, ‘19 Scholar

My name is Carlin; I attend the Science and Math Institute (SAMI) where my favorite classes are chemistry and guitar. I live in Tacoma. I am working on my Eagle rank in Boy Scouts of America. I would like to either become a park ranger or learn more about biomechanics in college.

David, ‘19 Scholar

Hi, I’m David. I enjoy science and history. I graduated from West Valley High School and Running Start and am starting at Western Washington University. I have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. I volunteer at my local pet shelter to help animals in need. I am interested in the environment and everything else on our planet.

Ellie, ‘19 Scholar

Hi, my name is Ellie. I graduated from Skyline High School as a Running Start student and currently attend Case Western Reserve University pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering. I enjoy learning about all things medical, knitting, and hanging out with my adorable dog, Ollie. I am also a huge Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings fan, and I love to play Settlers of Catan. I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, post traumatic stress disorder, and a sleep disorder.

Grant, ‘19 Scholar

Hi, I’m Grant. I am an autistic augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) user from Mercer Island, WA. This year, I’m finishing Running Start, and I’m planning for my next educational move. Disability advocacy work for non-speakers is my passion, so I have continued to dedicate my time as a TASH’s national Communication Access Workgroup member and as an Advisory Council member for CommunicationFirst. Last year, I completed the Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Leadership Academy and was featured in the short film LISTEN. I’ve also been busy doing webinars for NYU, Autism Explained, and Arc of King County; this summer, I will be presenting for the second time at the national CAST/UDL Summer Symposium.

Jacob, ‘19 Scholar

Hi, I’m Jacob! I want to focus my engineering and design passions on improving the design of transit systems and adaptive products. I attend Cleveland STEM High School in Seattle. I have Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Asperger syndrome. I have served as the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s local Goodwill Ambassador, making public appearances, raising funds, and giving media interviews. I am also a professional DJ and like cats.

Kayla, ‘19 Scholar

Hello, my name is Kayla! I am most interested in English and life sciences such as biology, earth and space science, anatomy and physiology, and neuroscience. I have a variety of potential career interests from neuroscience to real estate to education. Some of my favorite things are kittens, music, singing, and fuzzy blankets. I have low vision and oculocutaneous albinism. I am currently enrolled at Brigham Young University in Idaho and have completed credit classes at the University of Washington, Eastern Washington University, and Bellevue College.

Kelvin, ‘19 Scholar

Hi, I’m Kelvin. I am currently attending Wenatchee Valley College. My goal is to transfer to Central Washington University to major in sports management to become a soccer coach. I’m also a huge World Cup fan and have helped as an honorary assistant coach for my high school soccer team for two years. I have Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Merritt, ‘19 Scholar

Hi, my name is Merritt. I have autism. I graduated from Friday Harbor High School in the beautiful San Juan Islands. I am now attending Central Washington University. I hope to pursue a degree in the natural sciences such as archaeology to educate people about flora, fauna, animals, and history in a national park setting. I am an avid reader, love music, and play both the piano and alto saxophone. I love being outdoors and spending time with my family.

Norma, ‘19 Scholar

Hi, my name is Norma! I attend the Lummi Nation School in Bellingham. I enjoy playing video games, history, drawing, and music. I play the clarinet. I have a learning disability. I hope to begin Running Start and then pursue a career in the geosciences or biological sciences.

Paula, ‘19 Scholar

Hi my name is Paula, I attend the Lummi Nation School in Bellingham. I have writing and spelling learning disabilities. In 2019 I started Running Start at the NWIC (Northwest Indian College). I play the flute, enjoy drawing, and playing video games. I wish to pursue a career in science, history, game developing, and art.

Risa, ‘19 Scholar

Hi! My name is Risa. I attend The Community School in Spokane. I enjoy arts like sewing, mixed media, sculpting, and digital art/animation, as well as sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. I lived in Australia for a year and also have a terrier mix dog named Ernie. I have autism and narcolepsy.

Rohan, ‘19 Scholar

Hi, my name is Rohan. I graduated from Tesla STEM High School in Redmond where my two favorite subjects were science and mathematics. I currently attend Syracuse University, majoring in psychology and minoring in Computer Science. I hope to gain experience in computer science and have a career in the biomedical sciences. I have attended Boy Scout camp in previous summers and have spent time in India.

Samuel, ‘19 Scholar

Hi, I’m Samuel. I graduated from high school in 2021. I also did Running Start this past year and studied calculus, college English (my second language!), and some computer classes. I am from China and can speak Mandarin Chinese. I have been playing wheelchair basketball for a few years and our team, Seattle Sonics varsity, is going to the national tournament this year. I also like to play video games.