...I had decided to attend Highline because of the opportunities that my small parochial school could not offer. Luckily at my first Running Start orientation, I met Barbara Clinton who urged me to take a small two credit class called Honors 100. Little did I know at the time would it would do for me.

Through the Honors 100 class we were encouraged to do more in the community for leadership and service. This small elbow prodding me on to fill up my resume created many rewarding experiences. Soon I began getting more involved with campus activities, became the Lead Ambassador with Student Programs, got involved in leadership with Phi Theta Kappa, tutored writing students and eventually became the Opinion Editor at Highline’s campus newspaper: the Thunderword.

I also knew that my classes and interactions with other students could broaden my horizons and create a more-rounded character within myself. I’ve discovered another world on Highline’s campus, a world where almost half of the students refer themselves to some race other than “white” and where my intercultural communication class hosted over 20 different languages. It is a world where 30 percent of students are immigrants, refugees, or resident aliens. I wanted to learn more about culture and other people’s ideas and opinions, but I never knew that the diversity at Highline would be the awesome experience that it turned out to be.

In the Spring of 2005 I graduated as an Honors Scholar graduating Phi Theta Kappa and highest honors. It was professors like Barbara Clinton and Laura Manning (Phi Theta Kappa) who pushed me to succeed. Next year I will continue my education at New York University where I plan to major in English and journalism. I wouldn’t have been able to reach, let alone see, my full potential if it hadn’t been for the Honors program and instructors at Highline.