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Katy Payne she/her
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Starting this school year, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is launching a new program to feature student writers from across Washington.
The Student Stories Program invites high school students from Washington’s public schools to write four stories over the course of the year. Students will write about any subjects that interest them, as long as their stories are truthful and related to their experience in Washington’s public schools.
OSPI received 51 applications to the program. After two rounds of application reviews by OSPI staff representing multiple areas of expertise, OSPI selected six students whose diverse backgrounds and interests are representative of students across Washington.
Five students accepted their invitation to the program. Below, meet each student participating in the Student Stories Program and learn more about their interests.
Megan Jewell
Burlington-Edison School District
Megan Jewell (she/her) is a high school senior involved with her school’s Green Club, Science Olympiad, and tech theater. She’s also a summer camp counselor and has tutored early elementary students. Next year, she plans to go to a four-year university, where she’ll major in mathematics and possibly minor in computer science.
Trillium Keith
Mukilteo School District
Trillium Keith (she/her) is in her senior year of high school. She is an aspiring aeronautical physicist and plans to move to Scotland for university! In her free time, you can find Trillium reading, building robots, and going to see local bands.
Sein Kim
Bellevue School District
Sein Kim (she/her) was born in South Korea and lived there until the middle of her freshman year of high school, when her family moved to Bellevue for her father’s work. She is a current tenth grade student interested in exploring and learning about the world through nature and books. Outside of school, she enjoys volunteering at a salmon hatchery to help educate others and deepen her understanding and appreciation of salmon and Native American tribes. Above all, she loves to spend time with her family.
Amira Saadi
Edmonds School District
Amira Saadi (she/her) is a sophomore in high school, and participates in DECA and the Technology Student Association. Born and raised in Washington state, she is a passionate and energetic artist who appreciates observing and creating. She is also interested in debate and philosophy, and enjoys sketching and writing short novels in her free time.
Monica Velasquez
Lake Stevens School District
Monica Velasquez (she/her) is a junior in high school who is passionate about psychology and journalism. She takes on leadership roles in various clubs at her school, such as Key Club and the Asian Student Union. Having served as a Staff Reporter and Editor-in-Chief for her school’s newspaper, Monica hopes to share the voices of her peers through her work.
Editor’s Note: Since this story was originally published, one student has decided not to participate in the Student Stories Program. The story has been updated accordingly.