Five outstanding seniors who persevered
Students of Distinction is an annual project of the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation, the Peninsula School District and The Gateway, aimed at recognizing the achievements of outstanding students, whether in academics, athletics, art or industry. It carries special significance during the current health crisis, when schools are closed and students are relying on their own energy and determination to finish their education. This is the last installment of the series.
Elle Lovrak
Gig Harbor High senior turned adversity into opportunity to succeed and grow into a strong and determined individual
Elle Lovrak has been described as a persevering young woman who overcame many hurdles thanks to her work ethic and determination. While academics haven’t come easy to her and she’s had to miss a lot of school when she was younger, Lovrak has used her adversity to push herself to excel at the highest level.
Suffering from repeated seizures since she was 4, Lovrak was diagnosed with epilepsy and had brain surgery by the time she was in kindergarten. Missing school made her feel like an outsider at times, but Lovrak relied on her family to be a constant in her life.
“They have always loved and supported me in every way,” she says. “They have sacrificed a lot to make sure my needs were met and they did not ‘baby’ me. Instead, they’ve always challenged me and made me work just as hard, if not harder than others.”
This work ethic carried into high school, where Lovrak pushed to get into general education English and math classes, despite her epilepsy-related learning disability. She also took challenging courses such as American Sign Language and AP psychology.
“Elle does not have ‘give up’ in her vocabulary — she charges forward, asks for help along the way, and if she falls down, she asks for guidance on where to stand up again,” says Maggie Anderson, resource teacher at Gig Harbor High.
Lovrak was active in sports, running on the cross-country and track teams, and also managed the boys’ basketball team for four years.
“Sports have been a big part of my entire life,” she says. “Running challenges me physically and mentally, and has helped me be the best I can be.”
In addition to sports and hard work, Lovrak credits her success to the adversity she’s had to overcome.
“Brain surgery has given me so many opportunities. It has shaped me into the person I am today,” she says. “It has given me a positive outlook to step into different situations and to not be afraid to face anything or overcome the toughest obstacles.”
Lovrak plans to attend Pierce College on a scholarship to study communications and run cross-country, then transfer to a four-year university.
Category: Overcoming adversity
Education: Senior, Gig Harbor High School
GPA: 3.2
Parents: Eric and Christy Lovrak
Activities/Achievements: Cross-country, track, AP courses, boys basketball team manager, American Sigh Language
Favorite teacher: Maggie Anderson. “She works tirelessly to put students first and has been a constant presence in my years at GHHS. She is a sincere and heartfelt teacher who believes in her students and pushes them to be their best.”
Best thing about high school: The Athletics Department. “Participation in sports pushes me academically, mentally and physically. I run cross-country and track, and both sports have definitely pushed my limits in a good way. It’s rewarding to see improvements being made throughout each season.”
Everett Ruuska
Gig Harbor High senior is dedicated community servant who’s graduating with an associate degree
Everett Ruuska will be graduating high school with an associate’s business degree from Tacoma Community College. He has been attending TCC full time for the last two years as part of the Running Start program. And despite being off-campus, he continued to stay involved at Gig Harbor High, playing sports.
He’s maintained a 3.8 cumulative GPA (including his TCC grades), and says Running Start at TCC is a great program that could help many other high-schoolers prepare for college.
“Transferring to TCC was a new level of work. I had to learn time management and put in work to get good grades,” he says.
When he was young, Ruuska heard many good stories about the Boy Scouts from his grandfather.
“It sounded amazing, and my parents got me involved in Scouts early on,” he says.
Ruuska considers his Eagle Scout — the highest Boy Scout rank —the highlight of his high school. He received the honor at 15, a few years ahead of typical Scouts.
He was especially proud of the rank because his grandfather couldn’t get his Eagle Scout because he enlisted in World War II.
For his project, Ruuska built a much-needed, larger recycling bin for the Fish food bank. He became involved with FISH in seventh grade, volunteering with two friends at as part of their Boy Scout community service badge.
His friends left after the required eight hours, but Ruuska has been volunteering at FISH year-round ever since. His role has evolved from sorting donations and restocking supplies to training new student volunteers and shopping for groceries with clients.
“The food bank is a great community,” he says. “The best part about being at the food bank is helping a person in need and seeing how grateful and thankful they are.”
FISH volunteer coordinator Jeannie Rodenberg says Ruuska is a wonderful team member.
“Everett has exemplified the definition of volunteer, offering his time and talents to assist our citizens on their path to self-sufficiency,” she says.
Ruuska is still finalizing college plans, but is considering a double major at Boise State University in supply chain and informational technology.
Category: Community service
Education: Senior, Gig Harbor High School
GPA: 3.8
Parents: Jay and Dianne Ruuska
Activities/Achievements: Boy Scouts senior patrol leader, Eagle Scout; National Honor Society; Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society; upcoming Tacoma Community College associate’s degree; track and field; football; lacrosse; volunteer for Fish food bank, Artondale Elementary; commercial fishing job
Favorite teacher: Mark Allen, chemistry (TCC). “You can tell that he loves what he does. He was always available for office hours and encouraged me to pursue more challenging chemistry classes at TCC.”
Best thing about high school: “Even though I attended classes at TCC, I was able to stay connected to my friends at GHHS by attending sporting events and being part of team sports. I never felt like I was missing out on things.”
Meagan Chitta
Henderson Bay High senior overcomes personal challenges to become successful in high school and beyond
Meagan Chitta has shown tremendous personal growth in the last few years and has worked hard to graduate in time and be successful. Just a few years ago, she didn’t think she’s be able to do things like be a leader in the Interact Club or volunteer in the community.
“I’ve found success at school after having some of the hardest years of my life as a student,” she says.
Chitta was homeschooled until she was 16 and reluctantly entered public school when her family situation changed and her mother could no longer homeschool her. The change brought along daily battles, and Chitta suffered from stress, anxiety and depression.
“It was a learning curve,” she says.
At first, even speaking to teachers took a lot of effort and caused high stress. Her hearing loss added to the challenge. But she learned how to work through the obstacles.
“I was able to reach out to people, learn about self-care and lean on family members,” she says.
Peter Liljengren, former Henderson Bay High teacher, says Chitta came to the school having both a hard-work ethic and a vision of what her future might look like.
“She embraced the school and made full use of opportunities there,” he says.
Among those opportunities were leadership class, the Queer Straight Student Alliance and Interact Club, a service club sponsored by the Rotary Club. She had to push herself to be involved in the community despite being nervous about interactions with new people.
“It made me stronger,” she says. “I was always passionate about helping people, and besides helping, being in that space and around people passionate about service was cool.”
Liljengren says Chitta was one of those unusual high-schoolers who reached out for help when she knew she needed it.
“She understands the growth that comes from using your strengths and improving your weaknesses,” he says.
Chitta, who is described as having a wonderful heart and listening ear, says she went from feeling scared about high school to doing many wonderful things.
She wants to continue that momentum and plans to attend a community college, then transfer to a four-year university. Inspired by her interest in film and other arts, she’s considering studying art or business,.
Category: Overcoming adversity
Education: Senior, Henderson Bay High School
Parent: Janna Krause
Activities/Achievements: Interact Club secretary, Queer Straight Student Alliance, Leadership, technology school internship, choir
Favorite teacher: Mr. Chessin, choir. “He was the choir teacher at the school I attended for the first three years of high school and he saved my life. I always knew that when I was in his classroom, I was free to be myself and in a safe environment. He never made me feel like my voice was less than his or unimportant. It wasn’t just a choir class, it was a community of young people who grew together and became better because of our teacher.”
Best thing about high school: “The type of support I get from my teachers and the staff. They all welcome my desire to learn and teach me like a capable person and not just another student in the building. They make this school what it is and so many students have been blessed by their guidance.”
Luke Golden
Peninsula High senior is well-rounded student with many interests and leadership pursuits
Luke Golden is a well-balanced student who has excelled academically while pursuing a range of interests, from sports and choir to community service and leadership. An Eagle Scout, he has a varsity letter in community service, along with many accolades in athletics and music.
Golden has played sports since he was young, focusing on wrestling and football since sixth grade. His achievements include placing fourth at state in wrestling and receiving an All-League honorable mention as a football linebacker.
He said he wasn’t the best at either sport when he first started, but stuck with them so he could improve.
“I wanted to become successful and drove myself to become the best I could in the time I had,” Golden says.
Placing fourth in the state was the highlight of his athletic career, Golden says.
“It took a lot of work over the years, working hard during the season and in the off-season, and always thinking about practicing and concentrating my efforts toward my goals,” he says.
Last year, Golden was persuaded by older students that choir would be fun, and he joined the advanced chamber choir. This year, he landed one of the leads in the high school musical, and was elected the choir vice president. It’s one of many leadership roles that Golden has embraced.
“What makes Luke an effective leader is his unique character and welcoming personality,” says Peninsula High Assistant Principal Danielle O’Leary. “He is positive, determined, inclusive and someone his peers truly want to be around.”
Golden’s community service activities include serving as the president of his church’s youth group, participating in two mission trips to Liberia and working as a counselor at Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camps.
Darrin Kasteler, a family friend and an ecclesiastical leader, says Golden is a young man of high moral character whose strong yet calm style make him a great leader.
“Luke has a wonderfully engaging personality, which has been evident in his casual interactions with peers, in thoughtful and engaging conversations with adults and in opportunities to lead and teach in large groups,” Kasteler says.
Golden wants to become a doctor and plans to study biomedical sciences at the Brigham Young University-Hawaii.
Category: Science and technology
Education: Senior, Peninsula High School
GPA: 3.7
Parents: John and Kim Golden
Activities/Achievements: Varsity football Coaches’ Award, All-League Honorable Mention; varsity wrestling 4th place at state; Scholar Athlete; Gateway Athlete of the Week; National Honor Society; All-State Choir; Scholar Musician Award; advanced chamber choir, choir vice president; Eagle Scout; two mission trips to Liberia, MDA summer camp counselor, youth group camp leader, community service varsity letter; 3 AP/Honors courses; ASB senator; lead role in school musical
Favorite teacher: Alison Ellis, choir. “She has shown me how to become a better musician, student, leader and person. I always enjoy being in her classroom.”
Best thing about high school: “We have a lot of spirit; we have fun while getting stuff done.”
Abigail Emery
Gig Harbor High senior is outstanding dual-sport athlete and top scholar with love for helping others
Abigail Emery is an outstanding student who’s balanced rigorous courses with many extracurricular activities while maintaining a near-perfect GPA. She has shown numerous strengths and talents not only as a top athlete and scholar but also as a leader who motivates others.
As a young girl, Emery was inspired by her older sister to play soccer and fell in love with the soccer community. In high school, she was captain of both the girls’ varsity soccer team at Gig Harbor High and Harbor Premier’s traveling soccer team. During her tenure, both teams competed at state for the first time.
“I like the amount of determination it takes to play a soccer game,” she says. “It takes drive and passion to be on the field and push yourself through the game.”
In addition to soccer, Emery started playing basketball as a young girl, and was captain of the girls’ varsity basketball team in her senior year. Her coach, Michael Guinasso, says she demonstrated outstanding work ethic.
“Abigail was able to lead the Tides to a strong season as a senior captain,” he says. “Abigail cares about every person she gets to know. She is also one of the most selfless kids I’ve ever met.”
For Emery, sports were a “great way to make new friends” while also putting her competitive mindset to work. The competition included her twin brother, Jack.
“My brother and I have been competing for the highest grades in the classroom while also being the best in the field,” Emery says.
While sports and academics filled her schedule, Emery also found time to volunteer regularly at Harbor Heights elementary to tutor math and help organize classroom libraries.
“At a young age, I had help academically from parents and siblings, and I want to be that role model for someone else,” she says. “I think it’s inspiring to see passionate young students.”
Emery wants to carry her love for helping others into her professional life by becoming a lawyer. She was accepted to the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business on a pre-law track.
“I think the best way to help people is to represent those who are unable to represent themselves in legal ways,” she says.
Category: Athletics
Education: Senior, Gig Harbor High School
GPA: 3.94
Parents: Joel and Karen Emery
Activities/Achievements: Varsity soccer captain, state, district and South Sound Conference champions, best girls’ soccer record, Legacy Award, Second Team All-South Sound; varsity basketball captain, regional and state champions, Second Team All-South; WIAA Outstanding Scholar Athlete; club soccer captain; National Honor Society; 5 AP classes; volunteer for Special Olympics and Harbor Heights
Favorite teacher: Karen Kennedy-Floyd, English, “because she inspires her students in a unique way by reaching out to them on a personal level. Her inspiring personality and rigorous course load results in a learning environment full of passionate, hardworking students.”
Best thing about high school: “The endless opportunities — each student has the opportunity to grow within their personality, life skills and education.”
This story was originally published June 3, 2020 at 1:14 PM.