The Herald - Everett, Wash. - www.HeraldNet.com
    Published: Tuesday, June 12, 2007
    Super Kid: Amanda Miller, 19, Sequoia High
    School graduate
    Made it:
    Graduated March 30 after five years of high school. Struggled her freshman and sophomore years at Henry M.
    Jackson High School, then missed more than a month of classes after a car accident. Mom convinced her to go to Sequoia in
    Everett to catch up.
    Attitude adjustment:
    "'It's the alternative school and you never really want to go there,' is what I thought. ... But I fell in love
    with the school. So I stayed."
    Right fit:
    Sequoia's more intimate atmosphere suited her. Teachers and counselors were supportive. "You're not a number."
    Future:
    Will attend Edmonds Community College this fall to study psychology, with plans to transfer to a four-year university
    for an education degree. Wants to be a high school counselor and to return to Sequoia.
    Quote:
    "This school changed my life. ... I never thought in a million years I'd graduate. I want to give other students what this
    school gave to me."
    School leader:
    Love for her school turned into a position as student body president. Led an effort that resulted in the school's
    first mascot, colors and slogan. Mascot is the Fighting Squirrels. Colors "are more shades, really," at black and silver. Slogan
    is "Our School of Choice."
    Why it was important:
    "I wanted to make it more of a high school - to be thought of as a high school, not an alternative
    school. Because that's how people view us. And we're so much more than that."
    Point of pride:
    The small school raised about $600 for Pennies for Patients.
    Hobbies:
    Sports nut. For senior project, organized and coached a softball team. Also enjoys playing hacky sack.
    Sisterly love:
    Graduates this spring with two of her sisters, including a younger sister who is at Sequoia and an older sister
    who is in Edmonds Community College's EdCAP program to earn a high school diploma. All three plan to continue at EdCC
    next fall and live together. Their oldest sister already graduated from the college.
    Mentors:
    Looks up to three women at Sequoia, including teacher Becky Lanter ("She is probably the main reason I
    graduated"), Principal Sally Lancaster and counselor Amy Montanye, who inspired her career goal.
    Heroes:
    "My heroes are my parents." Her mom for pushing her to graduate, and her dad for working to put her through
    college.
    Added perk:
    Everett Rotary awarded her a $2,000 scholarship.
    Looking ahead:
    "I'm positive. I've never known what I'm going to do in my life. And now that I do, I feel completely confident."
    Know a super kid? Contact us as 425-339-3036 or e-mail schoolfyi@heraldnet.com
    .
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