Lucy Huffman, Girls Tennis

Issaquah Varsity Tennis coach Gary Kiyonaga writes, “Lucy Su Xiao Huffman demonstrates character every day. Energetic, cheerful, supportive and an absolutely great teammate, Lucy faced the most devastating hurdle an athlete can confront: Injury. This was Lucy’s senior year, her fourth on the varsity squad. As a selected captain of the team, Lucy brought enthusiasm, ideas and energy to the squad’s leadership team during the planning phase prior to the season. When the season began, Lucy established herself as the team’s best player, earning the top spot: #1 singles on the team.” After being diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury requiring physical therapy and rest, instead of missing the season, Lucy found ways to continue to contribute to the team by coming to practice and providing feedback and encouraging teammates. This exhibition of selfless giving to the team, under the dark cloud of injury, is a priceless gift to our tennis program, which is based on the values of being a great teammate, a great competitor and demonstrated sportsmanship. Captain Lucy Huffman is a great living example of these values. Lucy fought hard throughout her physical rehabilitation by doing physical therapy for her shoulder and by continuing her roadwork to stay fit. On the last team match of the season, Lucy returned to competition and won a great three set match. Lucy earned the #4 Seed for the upcoming post season Kingco Tournament.

Lucy has excelled in tennis, being the captain her senior year, awarded the “Wow on Sportsmanship” honor her junior year, and voted “Most Improved” her sophomore year.

While maintaining a GPA of about 4.0, , Lucy has been active in many volunteer roles in the school and community. She was the Kiwanis-Key Clubber of the year in 2013, in the Western International Band Clinic every year from 2011 to 2014, was class representative for Key Club, Sophomore Class, and has been Section Leader for the IHS Marching Band Saxophone Section for the past 2 years. Lucy is also a volunteer tutor in Algebra and Chemistry

Congratulations to Lucy, an exemplary scholar athlete!

Larissa Kolasinski, Track & Cross Country

Varsity Track and Cross Country coaches Tracy Silva and Mitch Stuard nominated Larissa and write, “Larissa has exemplified a level of commitment to hard work and continuous improvement which have let to an exceptionally rapid development as a highly successful athlete and team leader.”

Larissa has been on the track team from 2011 to 2015 and lettered in 2013 and 2014. She was a member of the Cross Country team from 2012 to 2014 that was 2^nd in State, and has been a Scholar Athlete from 2012 until the present.

While maintaining a GPA of approximately 3.7 and being an active athlete, Larissa has been involved in other IHS activities. She has been in Key Club from 2012 until the present, IHS National Honor Society from 2013 until the present, and a member of FCCLA (Family, Community, Career Leaders of America).

Outside of school, Larissa has been involved in many activities. She got her Camp Counselor Certification in 2007, Babysitter Certification in 2007, Trained in Self Defense in 2012, won Key Club awards of Eager Service, 2013, Quarterly Distinguished Service Award in 2013 and 2014, and Key Clubber of the month in November 2014. She was the Issaquah Highlands Volunteer of the Month for July 2014, and the year in 2014. By receiving her CPR/AED Certification, First Aid Certification and Professional Rescuer Certification in 2014, Larissa has proven herself to be a valuable member of the community.

Congratulations to Larissa, an exemplary scholar athlete!

Michelle Fowler, Softball 

Issaquah Fastpitch Coach Ron Hatlen nominated Michelle and writes, ”Michelle Fowler is a shining example of a true student athlete. She is a leader on and off the field. She leads not only in words but by example. She does whatever is needed to help the team, even to the potential disadvantage of her personal accolades. She is a great person and a deserving recipient of this award.”

Michelle has been in Varsity Girls Fastpitch for 4 years. She was captain of the team and won honorable mention in All-Kingco for 2 years.

In addition to athletics, Michelle is an outstanding student, winning the Scholar Athlete Award all 4 years of high school. She is an AP Scholar with Honor scoring a 4.5 average on 4 AP exams, a National Honor Society member in grades 10, 11 and 12, an Eagle Crew leader, STEM scholar, and National Merit Commended Student (top 3% on PSAT/NMSQT). She has been Yearbook Editor-in-Chief, Organizations editor and proofs editor, and Class Council in grades 10, 11 and 12, and a member of the Issaquah Booster Club.

In the larger Issaquah community, Michelle has been an active participant as well. She participated in a medical mission to Antigua, Guatemala as a translator and assistant in the recovery room., has been in the Opportunist Youth of America mentoring foreign exchange students, and fundraising for worldwide issues.

Congratulations to Michelle, an exemplary scholar athlete!

 Luke Watanabe, Baseball

Issaquah Coach Rob Reese nominated Luke and writes, “Luke is an outstanding young man. He has been a 2 year varsity baseball player. He has had a great senior year and is one of the top hitters in Kingco 4A. He is a great student and is going to study engineering in college at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.”

Luke participated in Baseball and Football for all 4 years of high school. In football, he was 2^nd Team All Kingco, and awarded Team MVP.

While maintaining a GPA of about 3.95, Luke has been active in ASB and has been a volunteer at Village Theater. He plays baseball for Lakeside Recovery American Legion.

Congratulations to Luke, an exemplary scholar athlete!

Sophie Foreman, Girls Basketball 

A senior at Issaquah High School, Sophie has been selected as a Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria Scholar Athlete by the Issaquah Booster Club and Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria.

IHS Varsity Basketball coach Nicole Reid nominated Sophie in recognition of her accomplishments. Sophie’s parents write, “Sophie works incredibly hard at everything she does; she leads by example, possesses a kind and generous spirit, and is powerfully optimistic and motivated.”

Sophie has participated in basketball for four years at IHS. She was the Varsity Girls basketball team co-captain in the 2014/2015 season, was awarded “Work Ethic” recognition from IHS in 2014, and recognized with scholar athlete honors in the 2013/2014 season.

While maintaining a GPA of 3.75, Sophie works with special needs children at IHS and Clark Elementary, and has advanced capabilities in American Sign Language. She has been an active Athletes for Kids representative in 2014/2015, and has volunteered feeding the homeless in Issaquah since 2012.

Congratulations to Sophie, an exemplary scholar athlete!

Morgan Wilson, Boys Swim & Dive 

A senior at Issaquah High School, Morgan has been selected as a Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria Scholar Athlete by the Issaquah Booster Club and Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria.

IHS Swim and Dive Head Coach Laura Halter writes, “Morgan has been on the Swim Team for 3 years, currently serving as team captain. He has been one of the most improved athletes on the team these past 3 years and as a result has really dedicated himself as a leader to be a mentor to all newly arriving athletes, especially those with little experience. He is kind, patient and enthusiastic with his new teammates, they all love to have him help. Morgan is a very dedicated, hard working young man, and I am pleased to nominate him for this wonderful award.”

Morgan is an excellent student, earning All-KingCo Scholar athlete awards this year. His GPA is 3.983 and he has taken 11 honors classes in his career at IHS. He is also involved in the Rocket Club at school.

Speaking 4 languages fluently has led him to become an excellent tutor. He volunteers at the Issaquah public library each week assisting students in Math, Chemistry, English and Spanish.

Congratulations to Morgan, an exemplary scholar athlete. !

Vanessa Fisher, Dance Team 

A senior at Issaquah High School, Vanessa has been selected as a Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria Scholar Athlete by the Issaquah Booster Club and Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria!

IHS Dance Team coach Melanie Krieger nominated Vanessa and writes, “Vanessa has been a committed member of our program. Her experience, confidence, and strength as a leader led her to be unanimously chosen to serve as Captain this season. Vanessa is poised, mature, reliable, and extremely professional. She is one of the top student leaders I have worked with in all my years of coaching and teaching.”

Vanessa has also been a 4-year member of the Hip Hop Competition Team and Pom Competition Team. Under her leadership, the Dance Team has qualified to perform at the State Dance/Drill Championships all four years, was one of four teams to dance at the Seahawks NFC playoff game, and performed in the San Diego Holiday Bowl. At the USA Dance Camp, Vanessa was chosen as a finalist for the Super Dancer Award.

Vanessa is a member of the National Honor Society and IHS DECA Club. She is a competitive dance team member at Ignite Dance and Yoga. She also volunteers at the Issaquah Community Center assisting at dance classes and summer camps,  She while maintaining a GPA of 3.9.

Congratulations to Vanessa, an exemplary scholar athlete!

          Jordan Munday Garris, Gymnastics

Congratulations to Jordan Munday Garris, a senior at Issaquah High School.  She has been selected as a Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria Scholar Athlete by the Issaquah Booster Club and Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria.

Issaquah Gymnastics coach Ryan Fleischer nominated Jordan. Jordan has been active in IHS athletics for four years, including 3 years on IHS Girls Swim and Dive and 4 years on the IHS Gymnastics team.  She was IHS Girls Swim Team captain for a team of 70 girls and was in charge of social activities such as the annual car wash, team hike, team dinners, as well as handling swimsuit ordering, making the calendar and announcements.  On the Gymnastics team, Jordan took on a role as a leader her senior year and was class senator for gymnastics for two years, 2013 – 2015.

In addition to athletics, Jordan achieved a high GPA of 3.6 while volunteering in the community.  She participated in Cycle the Wave (women against violence) for 3 consecutive years, and volunteered at Salmon Days.

Jordan is an exemplary scholar athlete.  Her hard work and dedication have made her a shining example to represent Issaquah High School.  We want to congratulate Jordan and wish her the best of luck in the future!

 Ty Gibson, Boys Basketball

Congratulations to Ty Gibson, a senior at Issaquah High School.  He has been selected as a Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria Scholar Athlete by the Issaquah Booster Club and Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria.

IHS Basketball coach, Jason Griffith, nominated Ty and writes:  “Ty has represented the school, community and his family with the utmost character on and off the court and field for the past four years.”

Ty is a standout four-year varsity basketball and 3 year baseball player.  He has been a three time 1^st Team All KingCo and 1^st Team All State All Tournament in 2014 for basketball, as well as an honorable mention for baseball. Ty has been involved in other school activities including DECA, debate and Spike Ball.  In the IHS community, he has been a referee for grade school basketball games and volunteers at youth basketball camps.  Ty has done all of these things while maintaining an estimated GPA of 3.98.

Ty is an exemplary scholar athlete.  His hard work and dedication have made him a shining example to represent Issaquah High School.  Congratulation, Ty, and best of luck in the future!