Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

 05/09/02

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School District Outstanding Graduates 2001-2002

AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL:

• Amy Craiger has been accepted at three of the Seven Sisters:  Barnard, Bryn Mawr, and Smith.  She is on the waiting list for Wellesley.

• Christapher Benson is going to Princeton.  His older brother goes there already

• Josh Le  wants to be orthopedic surgeon.  He spent his first semester of his senior year in a mentorship at the ER at Valley Medical Hospital and his second semester in a mentorship at Northwest Kidney Center.  He has observed many surgeries over Winter break.

• Chris Lukezic is an excellent track athlete and will be going Georgetown University.

• Jack Ferdman is a debater, athlete, scholar.

• Kathryn Gehrett is an outstanding scholar; she is one of two students receiving the new WSU scholarship

• Brandon Wentzel is an all around great kid

AUBURN RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL:

The following is a small list of some of Auburn Riverside’s outstanding seniors.  If you would like additional information on any of these candidates, please call and we will set you up with staff, counselors, and students.

America Salas – America immigrated to the United States from Mexico when she was a child.  Her parents named her America because they knew she would be moving to the US.  Parents were farm workers who sought out the American dream.  America is an outstanding young lady with an interesting story.  She has overcome a lot.  She is president of our student diversity club and is widely requested as a student speaker on diversity issues.  Her other accomplishments include:

• Plans to attend Green River Community College

• Has attended numerous leadership and diversity camps

• Has been asked to work at future diversity camps as a counselor

• Works as a tour guide and translator for new ESL students at Auburn Riverside

• Has adult social skills and is an excellent role model.

Kilty Keaton – High achieving student/athlete with remarkable personal skills.  She is not one to seek out attention, but is a great behind the scenes person.

• GPA is 3.81

• Attending Pacific Lutheran University, plans to play college basketball

• ARHS varsity girls basketball player, numerous awards

• Does a tremendous amount of volunteer work in the community

• President of the Sports Medicine Club

• Premedicine Major

• South County Prep Athlete of the Week award winner

• Received the Auburn Riverside “Martin Luther King Service Award”

• Father is a school principal

Kristen Lorrain – This young lady does it all for Auburn Riverside.  She is tops in academics, athletics, and student leadership.

• ASB President

• GPA of 4.0, Honor Society

•  Three sport letterman, even as a senior

• Captain of the Volleyball and Tennis teams

• Most Inspirational for volleyball, basketball, and tennis teams

• First team all league in tennis, top singles player in the SPSL, voted SPSL player of the year

• Student of the Month

• Plans to attend the University of Washington

• Major is education, mother is a teacher

• Washington Scholars Award winner

•  South County Journal Athlete of the Week

Alexandra (Alex) Romeo – This young lady is legally deaf, yet has achieved mightily at ARHS.

• 3.7 GPA, honor society

•  University of Washington

• Criminal Justice Major

• High achiever

• On the swim team, captain of the water polo team, second team all-state

• Volunteers with special Olympics

Ashley Krogstadt – Ashley was recently featured in our school newspaper.  Young lady, who was in special education in elementary and middle school, but worked her way into regular education classes at the high school level.  A teen mother who is very straightforward with her comments about her situation.  Has taken full responsibility for her actions.

• Plans to attend Community College

• Parents have been very supportive

• Grade point average is 2.1

• Hard worker who has stayed focused through all her adversity

WEST AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL:

Star Matteson – both parents passed away as she entered high school and yet Star continues to progress in school; work full time; provide guidance and support for her younger sister; and set goals for the future.

Aurelia Green – has had much responsibility for younger siblings; long distance runner; taking auto body technology at GRCC; plays musical instruments and writes poetry; goal to attend college next year to learn welding and business management.

For more information about graduates, contact Brad Sprague, principal of West Auburn High School, at (253) 931-4990; Randy Taylor, principal of Auburn High School at (253) 931-4880; or Bruce Phillips, principal of Auburn Riverside High School at (253) 804-5154.