Graduation 2009: Kent-Meridian’s top scholars shine

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The Kent-Meridian High School Class of 2009 will get their diplomas June 13 at the ShoWare Center. The ceremony begins 4 p.m.

Info: www.kent.k12.wa.us/ksd/KM/

The Kent-Meridian High School Class of 2009 is nearly ready to launch itself into the adult world, with graduation scheduled for June 13 at Kent’s ShoWare Center.

This year’s class features a pair of students sharing the title of valedictorian:

Yasmin Habib

Yasmin Habib, 18, is a member of the KM National Honors Society, drama/theater program and Kent-Meridian choir. She said her highlights from high school include her time in the International Baccalaureate program, where her favorite subject was biology. In the fall, Habib will attend the University of Washington where she expects to major in biology.

Habib said her advice for next year’s senior class is to “live each moment of your senior years. So often seniors are concerned with that final graduation day. When it arrives they regret not living in the moments of the year,” she said.

Phuong-Quang Lam

Phuong-Quang Lam, 18, is the president of the KM DECA chapter and is involved in Link Crew as well as the National Honor Society. His favorite subject is biology and he will attend the University of Washington where he plans to study medicine or business.

Lam said his “whole experience” at KM was his favorite memory of high school, but said placing first at the state DECA competition during his junior year was a highlight.

He urged next year’s seniors to build momentum heading into college and said his parents were his heroes.

“My parents, who have gone through so much and worked hard to make my life the way it is and whom I am very grateful for and feel lucky to have in my life,” he said when asked.

The following students also are among the top scholars for the Class of 2009:

McKaley Brewer

McKaley Brewer, 18, will be attending Seattle University Honors College in the fall to study international studies.

During her time at KM, Brewer was captain of the volleyball team, a member of the track team, a member of National Honor Society and part of the ASB.

Brewer lists her high school highlights as going to the postseason with the volleyball team, homecoming, which included models of the Eiffel Tower and Great wall of China as part of the international theme, and going on a trip to Europe.

But her favorite memory of high school is beating rival Kentridge in volleyball on their senior night.

Asked about her hero, Brewer said fellow top scholar Hiep Nguyen because “he’s always nice to everyone!” and then added Albert Einstein “for being a genius and still being a moral example to our country.”

Philip Frayre

Philip Frayre, 18 lists his highlights from high school as getting into the state tournament in judo and going to Japan with the team, as well as taking International Baccalaureate courses.

Along with being on the judo team, Frayre was a member of key Club and the Filipino Club.

Frayre said his favorite subject was biology and cited biology teacher Jodie Spitze as his favorite for maintaining her “happy-go-lucky attitude” while also keeping her students focused.

As for advice to incoming seniors, Frayre said “Try your hardest, even if you fail.”

Frayre will attend the University of Washington in the fall to study pre-med.

Brandon Gomez

Brandon Gomez, 18, will attend the the University of Washington this fall where he plans to study computer engineering.

Gomez is a member of the Japanese Club and Key Club and played in the band for the first three years of his high school career.

He said his favorite memory of high school is participating in his first community-service event as part of a club and cited history teacher Lisa Clarke as an influence because “she treats us like equals and always goes out of her way to help us succeed.”

His advice for incoming seniors focused on the IB Students: “To the IB class: Don’t feel bad if you procrastinate excessively. It’s all the rage and completely normal.”

Brent Kirshenbaum

Brent Kirshenbaum, 18, was a captain of the cross country and track teams and said the thing he will miss most about high school is the food, sarcastically, of course.

Kirshenbaum will attend the University of Washington in the fall with plans to study medicine and French.

He said coach Ernest Ammons was a particular influence on him because he pushed him to succeed even when it seemed like there was no reason for him to be on the team.

Asked about his heroes, Kirshenbaum said “Everyone who has ever put up with my crap and still talked to me afterward.”

Hiep Nguyen

Hiep Nguyen, 18, is a member of the Key Club, National Honor Society and the varsity soccer team. He was also named homecoming king, one of his highlights.

His favorite memory from high school was the soccer team gaining its first win in almost three years during a game against cross-town rival Kentwood.

Nguyen warned the Class of 2010 to try and avoid “senioritis” and said his hero is his mother.

“My mom had taken care of five kids single-handedly after becoming a widow. She struggled with health every day and still made sure her kids are doing well for themselves, their family, friends and their future,” he said.

Nguyen will attend the University of Washington in the fall and will study pre-med with the goal of a Ph.D.

Jillian Redosendo

Jillian Redosendo, 18, said her high school highlights include her stint as president of the Japanese Club and Key Club and said she enjoyed her service experience with Key Club.

Along with those, Redosendo also played tennis, ran track, was a member of Art Club, women’s choir and Ink’d Xpressions, the school literary magazine.

Redosendo said her favorite subject was IB art studio and said her favorite memory from high school was “forming all the nerdy IB inside jokes with fellow IB students.”

Redosendo also said IB history teacher Lisa Clarke was a favorite.

Her advice to incoming seniors is “Manage your time well; if you don’t, be prepared for a lot of cramming and late nights.”

Redosendo will attend the University of Washington in the fall, though she is still “considering her options” as to what she will study.