"Hamilton Friends challenged us to do more than we thought possible and to rise to the challenges we face as a society today."
-Danika Young, '06 Hamilton Scholar
Erika So: A 2009 Hammie Winner with a Passion for Service
Erika believes that each day is an opportunity to learn something new and help her community. “I’ve learned that I can make a difference and I try to help out wherever there is need so that I can brighten someone else’s day,” says Erika.
Erika credits her passion for service to The Girl Scouts of America where, as a result of volunteering over 1,500 hours of community service, she is a member at the Ambassador Level. At Girl Scouts, she has even been inducted into the Cookie Hall of Fame for selling over 1,200 boxes of cookies for three consecutive years.
This past summer, Erika had the incredible opportunity to take her passion for service abroad, traveling to both Nicaragua and Peru. In Nicaragua, Erika taught English and learned about the current political and socioeconomic situation of this developing nation. In Peru, she spent time in the Amazon studying the culture of the local people and the incredible wildlife of the rainforest. “Going to Latin America and seeing the poverty made me appreciate what I have and reminded me how much I take for granted,” says Erika when recounting her trips.
Erika shows the same amount of dedication and drive to her school work as she does to her many service activities. She is ranked fourth in her class and has consistently achieved a high GPA. Her top priorities this year include serving as the Student Body Treasurer for her class and acting as the 2009-2010 Student Board Representative for the Pittsburg Unified School District.
Erika dedicates much of her free time to music and golf. Erika is captain of the women’s golf team and the alto saxophone section leader for her high school marching band. Her favorite part about marching band is the community that she has created and the friends she has made. “I love how close we are. We are like a family,” says Erika. This year, her high school band will be one of only 11 bands performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.
As she goes forward, as in the Girl Scout promise, Erika vows to build her own courage, confidence and character in order to make the world a better place. “Each adventure I have been presented with has given me the tools to improve myself,” says Erika. Her wide spectrum of service and educational achievements prove that Erika takes every opportunity she can to better herself and the world around her.
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"I had an amazing time in Quetzaltenango. This trip affected me more than any other experience I have ever had in my life... I gained an entirely new perspective on life and I thank Hamilton Friends for providing me with the opportunity to do so."
-Jillian Ogren, '07 Hamilton Scholar and Guatemala Leader Week attendee
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Seattle Leader Week SLIDESHOW!
CLICK HEREto see a slideshow of the 2009 Seattle Leader Week.
Alexander Hamilton Friends Association | 216 1st Avenue South, Suite 345 | Seattle, WA 98104 | 206-774-0764 | contact us
