12 Outstanding Seniors
Lovenia Afalava
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Recognize how blessed you are to be at Renton High School surrounded by people you have grown up with all your life. Lifelong friendships start here and if you have not found that one person, be true to yourself and they will come to you.
I would now like to recognize my most memorable Renton High School staff member, Ms. Marvice Thornton. She was the one person I could show all my raw emotions to and felt extremely safe with and understood by. For her, I am very grateful from the bottom of my heart.
Lovenia adopted the Japanese Research Club when she was only a Freshman and despite being a member of several other organizations at the same time and still maintained a 3.0 grade point average. She plans to further her studies in the Japanese culture with the aim of living abroad after high school.
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Rhyan Benning
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My family has been my biggest support system when it comes to my career and life at Renton High School. They have always supported and encouraged me to try different experiences in high school and I thank them for that.
I would now like to recognize my most memorable Renton High School staff member, Ms. Casey Paulson. I will never forget Ms. Paulson for being one of my most supportive, uplifting, and impactful teachers. I can say that she has impacted my life and education to the fullest. Thank you for that and all you have done for me.
Rhyan played varsity basketball for 2 years and received the Henry Moses award. Rhyan plans to attend Texas Southern University to earn a degree in Kinesiology.
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Rahjia Evans
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Renton High School has prepared me for life after high school by teaching me to accept criticism and use it as motivation for improvement. Every time I have felt I failed and received bad criticism, I used it to help me better myself and come back new and improved.
I would now like to recognize my most memorable Renton High School staff member Mr. Dylan Okimoto. Mr. Okimoto is not your typical language arts teacher. He always made class fun by stopping and telling us his life story and he has a unique way to motivate students to be the best they can be. Thank You Mr. Okimoto!
Rahjia has been student of the month, on the cheer team for 2 ½ years, ran track one year, participated in the Black Student Union, and participated in the summer search program. Rahjia plans to attend film school in Seattle or Dillard University in New Orleans to get a degree in film.
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Jenny Huynh
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Coming into high school I had many misconceptions, one being that I would continue to have a distant relationship with my teachers. Once I met them, though, I realized that teachers could become my biggest supporters in life.
I would now like to recognize my most memorable Renton High School staff member Mr. Joe Bento. Mr. Bento always laments that school “beats the creativity and joy of learning” out of students, but through his class I have had the opportunities to be creative by making podcasts, stop –
motion videos, and dioramas. I am always excited to attend his classes and love the different methods he uses to get me to be interested. Lastly, I would like to thank Mr. Bento for instilling my love for learning and making my senior year more enjoyable.
Jenny has been a constant member of Vietnamese Student Union, serving as the Vice President this year. She is also a member of the girls’ Varsity tennis team at Renton High School. This is all to assist her in her goals of obtaining a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and continuing on to medical school to become a licensed dermatologist
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Karen Tran
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When transitioning to a new environment I always feel overwhelmed and nervous. I remember the first day of Freshman year coming into high school, I was afraid of failing, asking for help, and always trying to be a perfectionist. Now, taking IB classes and being able to ask for help I feel proud of myself and my growth throughout the school years.
I would now like to recognize my most memorable Renton High School staff member, Mrs. Rebecca Spitznas. I have recently become closer to Mrs. Spitznas due to my weakest subject, math. She has always been there for me whenever I needed help, even before COVID-19 when she made my day in class. I am very grateful and appreciative for all your help, not just for me, but with other students as well, thank you.
Karen was the vice president of the badminton club and when she is not with the badminton club, she participates in other activities like assisting culinary club with their food prep. Karen’s recent accomplishment was making 100+ masks for people in need during COVID-19. Her plans after graduation are to go to college to study computers and visit Tokyo, Japan.
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Saudi Villanueva-Morales
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My time at Renton High has been filled with successful and challenging years. During those years, I have worked with and learned from many individuals, from various backgrounds and cultures.
I would now like to recognize my most memorable Renton High School staff member, Mrs. Sandra Scheinbaum. Mrs. Sheinbaum has been a great mentor and teacher to many students. She has helped a variety of students achieve their goals and becoming successful students. I would like to thank Mrs. Sheinbaum for being one of my inspirational teachers.
Saudi was a two-year varsity gymnast and is currently in her third year of cheerleading. She has received numerous awards throughout her high school career such as the Matter of the Heart and Henry Moses awards and is an executive board member of the Renton High School ASB. Saudi is planning to attend Seattle Pacific University majoring in political science, with a minor in human development and family studies.
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Andrew Beckley
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My time at Renton High School has really flown by. As a Senior, I realize how many things I did not do, and one thing I wish I would have done is try one of the many clubs that Renton has to offer.
I would now like to recognize my most memorable Renton High School staff member, Mrs. Rosemary Shaw. Mrs. Shaw would discuss and debate politics with me, while supporting my boundless inquisition more than anyone else. I want to thank Mrs. Shaw for her open mindedness and helping to make my high school experience an enjoyable one.
Andrew is inquisitive and does his best to convert his classroom learnings into his real life work. He plans to become a tradesman after high school as well.
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Narciso Carig
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Renton High School has provided me the space to educate myself on a variety of new and interesting subjects. I have also encountered many different perspectives which have supported my understanding of the ever – changing world around me.
I would now like to recognize my most memorable Renton High School staff member, Ms. Jennifer O’Roarty. While I have only known Ms. O’Roarty for half of my high school career, she has been an important ally in encouraging my career path. She takes time from her busy schedule to understand the lives of her students and I appreciate the little things she does to better us as students and people. While my words through speech or text will never amount to how I truly feel, thank you Ms. O’Roarty for everything you have done for me. Here are the next two outstanding Seniors.
Narciso is a hardworking student in the incredibly rigorous IB Diploma program and has been one of its most dedicated students. Over the summer, Narciso participated in a study program to promote foreign language study in South Korea. His plan after high school is to pursue a dual degree of Fashion Design and International Relations in South Korea, in a career path that combines the two areas.
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Khalila Firestone
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The time I was lucky enough to have at Renton High School was full of memories with amazing teachers, my peers, and my track and field family. The memory that stands out the most, though, was the 2-week exchange trip to Chile my Sophomore year. I made lifelong friends with both Chilean and Renton students, and was able to do my favorite thing, learn about and travel through a beautiful country.
I would now like to recognize my most memorable Renton High School staff member, Mrs. Sandi Tunis. I have been lucky enough to have Mrs. Tunis as a teacher for 3 out of my 4 years at Renton. Not only is she kind, understanding, and an incredible Spanish teacher, but she also managed to keep myself and 7 other students happy and healthy for 2 weeks during our Chilean exchange. I could say much more, but for these things, and being there for me constantly, I would like to say thank you.
Khalila is currently in the IB Diploma program, is the 2021 Class President, and was Treasurer her Junior year. Khalila participates in Varsity track, as one of Renton’s only full-time pole vaulters, and participated in gymnastics her Sophomore year. After graduation, Khalila plans to attend a 4-year university studying psychology and law.
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Jeon Lipa
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I plan on making the world a greater place by following words of the great Nipsey Hussle, ¨The greatest human act is to inspire.¨ Which is what I intend to achieve, by inspiring the generation after me to break cycles of stereotypes that have poisoned our society, influencing those around me to have a growth mindset and gain a wider perspective on life.
I would now like to recognize my most memorable Renton High School staff member Mr. Joshua Willecke. Coach Willecke is a Renton High School alum who has been teaching at Renton for the last 5 years. He has done numerous things for Renton such as introducing yoga as a curriculum, started a rowing club, and is one of the coaches for the boys’ basketball team. Thank you, Mr. Willecke, for being a great teacher, mentor, and coach.
Jeon is an inspirational and hard-working student. For the last 3 years, he has been a part of Acapella as a tenor, as well a varsity basketball player at Renton High School. Besides being in school activities, Jeon has received numerous awards such as Matter of the Heart, Honor Roll, and Student of the Month. Jeon is planning to attend Seattle Pacific University to major in Philosophy and a minor in Fashion Design.
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Steven Tran
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Good Evening everyone. Coming into Renton High School, I was a Freshman who was letting life pass me by. I managed to grow out of my shell and become involved in the things that were going on around me, which has let me live a more fulfilling life, and connect with others.
I would now like to recognize my most memorable Renton High School staff member Mrs. Sara Khelghatian. Mrs. Khelghatian’s energy and attitude tends to make everyone feel comfortable and involved. The environment she created helped me to grow out of my shell and become involved in the learning and school community. Thank you so much for helping me become the person I am today Mrs. Khelghatian!
Steven is one of the co-founders and current president of the Math Club. Before the pandemic, Steven was involved in the robotics and computer club, as well as VSA. After graduation, he plans to study Computer Science at a 4-year university.
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Anna Wyche
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Renton High School has been a great place to go to school. It has given me so many opportunities to grow as a student and as a person. Being surrounded by so many hardworking students has pushed me to work even harder towards my goals.
I would now like to recognize my most memorable Renton High School staff member Mr. Michael King. I have known Mr. King since my Sophomore year when I joined cross country and he has been a great teacher and coach for the past three years. You can see the impact that Mr. King has at Renton High School every day through the bonds he creates with his students. Thank you being an amazing teacher and coach, helping myself and others grow as learners and students. Here are the next two outstanding Seniors.
Annie participates in girl’s cross country and has been one of Renton’s best tennis players for the past 4 years, and is a captain on both teams. Beyond being an IB diploma student, Annie was the badminton club secretary and Publicity Director as a Class of 2021 Officer last year. She intends to spend the next 4 years in - state at university.
