We all know that 3+1 equals 4, but for senior Molly Keegan, her 3+1 means four years studying at the University of Portland. There, she can finally start the future that she’s always dreamed of. As this year comes to a close, seniors like Keegan are preparing to begin their post-high school plans. They might not have been able to leave Liberty the way they anticipated, but that doesn’t stop the...

Saving lives, building meaningful relationships, and feeling like a superstar on Grey’s Anatomy—that’s motivation enough for most wannabe doctors to spend their 20s in school. This is true for senior Christian Castro, but his main driving force is something else entirely. “I've always wanted to be a doctor because there aren't enough people who look like me in the medical field,” Castro shared. ...

She’s been a cheerleader since her freshman year. She’s been a DECA participant and qualifier for DECA state. And in the fall of 2020, senior Madison Ackley will graduate from being a Patriot to become a Viking at Western Washington University.  “I will be attending WWU this fall because I wanted to be far enough from home that I could be on my own and feel independent, but also be close...

Though Colorado is full of rocky mountains, senior Emma Rattie’s college experience at Colorado State University is sure to go smoothly. Becoming a freshman in college is scary, but Rattie has heard helpful advice from current college students.  “I have been told to always say yes to things, because you never know what will happen or who you might meet,” Rattie said. While Rattie is excit...

You may have seen her face around school or heard her voice during the morning announcements, but there are probably things you still don’t know about senior Natalie Crouse. For example, she's a die hard Harry Potter fan who loves going on hikes. However, there is one thing that is abundantly clear about Crouse. She loves her school.  “I love spending time at school. Liberty is just a really comf...

In April, senior Elaine Kooiker spontaneously booked a one-way ticket to San Luis Obispo, California, to spend time with her brother and Liberty alum, Holden Kooiker.  “Those flights from Seattle to SLO are typically $250+. But I had miles on Alaska, and after 12k of those, my ticket was only $6,” Kooiker said. Since then, Elaine has been soaking up the sun, exercising, and hiking (all while s...

If you’ve seen senior Ali Gouge around school, chances are, she was smiling. With a twinkle in her eye and a laugh you want to bring home to the parents, Gouge is one of the most sweet-hearted and genuine people you’ll meet.     She draws particular inspiration for her kind spirit from her family friends who live in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Gouge has visited these family friends—whom she...

As a stellar news reporter, expert pun maker, airplane-constructing SciOly rockstar, and one of few who have braved the trek to Costco during the 30 minute lunch period with her partner in crime, Hunter Reilly, Sonja Gunderson is clearly a woman of many feats.  Although Liberty will be sad to see her go, it should be comforting for those who know and love her to see that Gunderson has found her ca...

When most seniors in high school think about their big move to college, they start to get anxious. For many, it means they’ll leave not only their friends and family behind, but also items with a lifetime of sentiment--some might even suggest their entire lifestyle. For Zach Derwin, though, his upcoming move to Colorado University in Boulder means he’ll get to live the way he’s always dreamed of:...

Almost everyone has a dream or goal for their future–a place they want to travel to, a car they want to own, or a job they want to do. For senior Grace Moawad, that dream was achieved when she was accepted into Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. “It’s been my dream school for several years, but when I visited the campus, I knew it was the place for me,” Moawad said. Moawad ...

"Good night and good luck."  These are the immortal closing words of renowned CBS broadcaster Edward R. Murrow, America's voice of reason during the McCarthy era, and, as it turns out, a Washington State University Cougar. He even has a building named after him on campus, and one Liberty student can't wait to jump right in and experience the studio for herself. Hunter Reilly, who plans to attend...

From ROTC leader to helping out at the Issaquah Garage, there is one Liberty senior who truly has done it all.   Senior Olivia Van Ry is flying off to Florida this fall to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She received The Woman of Excellence Award, a scholarship from the university. “The Woman of Excellence award is for outstanding academics and community involvement,” Van Ry said...

Senior and varsity basketball player Amaya Martin has proudly announced her decision to go to Concordia University Chicago (CUC). She will be playing Division 3 basketball there, and even though CUC does not give out athletic scholarships, Martin has received enough scholarships to cover all four years. But her reasons for choosing CUC go deeper than that.  “I was born and raised in Chicago before l...

For most students, the transition from high school to college can be scary or daunting. But senior Sydney Croasdell is ready for college and the new chapter of her life.  Next year, Sydney will be continuing her education at Washington State University. She will be majoring in biology to pursue a career as a forensic scientist.  “I feel good about the transition to college, since doing running start this year...

The process to commit to college can be daunting, filled with paranoid waiting, tormenting rejection letters, and tried-and-true pro-con lists. But while senior Seth Kobata’s journey to college was less dramatic than most, it was just as rewarding. Next year, Kobata will be attending Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington, to play soccer as a D2 athlete.  “Being recruited to play colleg...

The University of Southern California is one of the most prestigious and known public colleges on the West Coast. The school is known for its academics and sporting achievements, as well as difficulty to get into the school in the first place. Liberty senior Allison Kim will be attending USC in the fall, and she will be one of a line of Kims striving for success and a greater education.   ...

In 2003, one-year-old Warren’s family moved into a new house that had an exciting feature: a pool. To keep their kid safe, his parents started swim lessons, and that little choice set senior Warren Briggs’ whole future rolling. After loving swim lessons and a few years in a summer swim team, he started asking to be put in a year-round team. “I joined the Issaquah Swim Team, my first rea...

Many say that high school is one of the most memorable experiences in your life. Senior Brett Roper certainly has had many valuable experiences at Liberty.  “Whether it was Woffinden cementing my love for technology, Crowley instilling a passion for literature and film in me, or just meme-ing with Kennedy, these experiences have shaped me into who I am,” Roper said.  To Roper, school is ...

You may know her as the Executive Board Secretary and have seen her in the assemblies or around the hallways. Senior Jasmine Le stands out for her never-ending positive attitude and energetic personality. As senior year comes to an end, there is much for her to celebrate and share.  Although Liberty will be losing an amazing student, Le has amazing plans for the future. She will be attending Ca...

At some point or another, we’ve all been told to favor practicality. To give up on our dreams of fashion design or painting or building LEGO masterpieces and instead focus on a “real” job. But senior Jonny Nhim decided that so-called “practicality” wasn’t for him.  “Honestly, I thought I’d be going to medical school until a year and a half ago,” Nhim said. “My parents are tradi...

Senior Vincent Ung is part of a selective group of students who were offered direct admission to University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, where he will be attending in the fall. For the past four years, he built his application to include exemplary academics, countless volunteer hours, VOICE mentoring, being a yearbook editor-in-chief, and two years on Liberty DECA’s executive boar...

Need a sword? Cutlery? Auto parts? Jay Beeman has got you covered. Liberty’s drum major and mechanical whiz is now taking his passions one step forward as he prepares for college. Beeman’s love of building has led him from forging tools in his garage to shaping a future at Purdue University in Indiana.  “I just want to make things. Ideally, I’d want to design and help build big machines...

Most people will probably tell you that graduating high school can be a little daunting. Whether you’re going to college or a trade school or taking a gap year, it’s leaving high school and going somewhere new.     Senior Solana Jenkins has an added layer to the unknown: she’s the first person in her family to go to college.  “Being a first-generation college student is kind of scar...

“Hard work pays off,” senior Dan Noble said. “That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned from high school.”    Class of 2020 member Dan Noble has had plenty of experience in Liberty extracurriculars, taking part in everything from robotics to band and video production to tennis. According to him, there’s a hidden gem of knowledge to be taken from each of them.    “From...

Throughout your first three years of high school, you look up to the seniors. They’re the oldest in the school, have the most experience, and are great role models for the younger classes. As the class of 2020 says their final farewells to Liberty High School, it’s time to learn a little bit more about one senior in particular: Joseph Carr.  After graduating, Carr (being an active member of the church of ...

Imagine it’s your senior year and you are deciding which colleges you would like to go to. An in-state college; it’s cheaper and closer to home. Or maybe out of state: somewhere sunny and far from home, with a change of scenery. But what about studying abroad? A whole new country, culture, and adventure. Well, Shannon Bergin is going to University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland to major in ec...

After years of hard work in high school, senior Kelly Ferrera is ready to take the step from Patriot to Husky. Starting freshman year in college can be daunting, but Ferrera is fuelled by her time at Liberty and the connections she has made along the way.  “High school has helped me set a work ethic and explore exactly what I want to do. My favorite memories have come from being involved in cl...

Most Liberty seniors will begin their college experience in the fall of 2020. But for some, it’s already started – for some, they’re already halfway through college. “After having gotten my Associate in Arts through Running Start, I’m planning on attending Western Washington University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in computer science,” senior Cameron McLean said. For the past two...