2025 Puyallup High Outstanding Seniors

Drew Baker

• Student Activities

  • Cross-Country

  • Track and Field

  • Swim team

  • Unified Basketball

  • Baseball

  • Band

  • Honor Society Vice-President

  • VKL

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• Honors

  • Cross-Country: 4-year letter, Coach's award, 2nd team all-league award

  • Swim: Varsity letter, Rookie of the Year

  • 3 varsity letters in track and field

  • Unified Basketball: Varsity letter, State champion

  • AP Capstone diploma

  • AP Scholar with Distinction

  • State solo and ensemble

  • American Legion Award

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• Community Activities

  • ACE Mentorship program

  • Jesus Club leader

  • Church Youth Group Worship Leader

  • Bible day camp leader

  • Mission trip member

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• Hobbies

  • Running

  • Playing the guitar

  • Being in the outdoors

  • Playing sports

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• Next Stop

  • George Fox University

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• Faculty Comment Submitted by Mark Phillips
  Drew Baker is a special young man. While his academic record speaks for itself, it is important to note that Drew accomplished that record while balancing a variety of other endeavors. His commitments were diverse, and each brought their own level of challenge: performing at a high level in three Varsity sports, playing contrabass clarinet in the PHS Wind Ensemble and the bass clarinet in the Pep Band, serving our school and community as a Viking Knight, and taking on leadership roles in almost every setting. I had the privilege of personally witnessing the impact of Drew’s leadership at the Jesus Club, where he had the courage and conviction to share several messages of faith with his peers. Additionally, his leadership on the distance running teams has prepared him to participate in both Cross-Country and Track next year at George Fox University. It is always worth our time to pause, recognize, and appreciate a young man like Drew, who challenges himself and pursues excellence in everything he does.

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Ashton Berwick

• Student Activities

  • DECA

  • Cross-Country

  • Track

  • National Honors Society

  • Fleet Feet Employee

  • Acting Manager and Marketing Manager for the Viking Blend

  • Wall student stores

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• Honors

  • AP Capstone

  • AP Scholar with Distinction

  • AP Research Awards

  • AP Scholar

  • Varsity Track Letter 2024

  • Varsity Track and Cross-Country: 2021, 2022, 2024

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• Community Activities

  • Belize EF Tours Ridge Reef Conservative Efforts

  • Young Hearts Therapeutic Volunteer Center

  • Fair Parking Volunteer

  • Cross-Country Cleanup Volunteer

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• Hobbies

  • Running

  • eBay E-commerce

  • 3D printing

  • Hiking

  • Traveling and business

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• Next Stop

  • University of Washington

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• Faculty Comment Submitted by Kason Koski
  Ashton exemplifies hard work and determination. He has successfully completed nine AP courses and will graduate with an AP Capstone Diploma. Ashton is also a DECA state and international qualifier, an AP Research Award recipient of multiple categories, and a state-level competitor in Cross-Country. Most impressively, Ashton is a well-rounded, genuine individual who takes the initiative and gives his best in everything he does.

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Kyson Douglas

• Student Activities

  • WIAA Athlete of the Week

  • 4-Year Varsity Captain: Football, Track and Field

  • 12-time All-League Honors spanning football and track

  • 4-time All-State Honors spanning football and track

  • Teachers of Tomorrow at Meeker Elementary

  • All-Area First Team Honors – Tacoma News Tribune

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• Honors

  • Two-time Gold Presidential Award

  • 3.91 cumulative GPA

  • Tacoma Fall Athlete of the Year Nominee

  • Two-time AP Scholar Award

  • National Football Foundation Scholar Finalist

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• Community Activities

  • Member of Viking Legends

  • Athletic Trainer at Calloway Athletics (training young student athletes)

  • PHS Representative/Speaker

  • VKL Member

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• Hobbies

  • Writing

  • Music

  • Lifting

  • Hiking

  • Sports

  • ASL

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• Next Stop

  • Carroll College

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• Faculty Comment Submitted by Christyna Paris
  Kyson Douglas is academically and athletically talented. More importantly, he is a kind, friendly, helpful human being. Even in the worst of times, such as 5th period AP Chemistry, Kyson maintains a welcoming and accepting attitude toward his peers. Impressively, while playing varsity football and track, volunteering as a Viking Knight, and taking multiple Advanced Placement courses, Kyson also held part-time jobs throughout high school. In the future, he will attend college to become a teacher. We will be proud to have him as a colleague.

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Cameron Edgbert

• Student Activities

  • Soccer (9–12 grade)

  • Cross-Country (10–12 grade)

  • Unified Basketball (11–12 grade)

  • Viking Student Media (11–12 grade)

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• Honors

  • Varsity Letter – Soccer

  • Varsity Letter – Cross-Country

  • Unified Basketball (11–12 grade)

  • Viking Student Media (11–12 grade)

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• Community Activities

  • Unified Basketball

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• Hobbies

  • Hiking

  • Walking

  • Thrifting

  • Watching movies

  • Listening to music

  • Eating food

  • Making cards

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• Next Stop

  • Gonzaga University

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• Faculty Comment Submitted by Jamie Mooring
  Sometimes in life, you are an unassuming beta fish, bought from the pet store on a March afternoon, only to be hidden in the back of a locker room. It is what you do with your circumstances that can dictate your future. Choosing to thrive anyways with drive, focus, and compassion makes you a beautiful beta. Deciding you have all the support you need within you and around you allows your colors to grow. Focusing on the impact your beauty has on others makes your goals achievable through grit and faith. Cameron Edgbert is that beta fish.

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Yssabella Flowers

• Student Activities

  • Black Student Union (2022–2025)

  • Multicultural Event Committee (2024 and 2025 events)

  • Chess Club (2022–2025)

  • Key Club (2022–2025)

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• Honors

  • AP Capstone Diploma (2024)

  • AP Scholar with Distinction (2024)

  • AP Scholar with Honors (2023)

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• Community Activities

  • Daffodil Festival – Puyallup High School’s 2025 Daffodil Princess

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• Hobbies

  • Hiking

  • Pickleball

  • Sewing

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• Next Stop

  • University of Washington – Tacoma

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• Faculty Comment Submitted by Cherokee Ainslie
  Yssabella Flowers is a remarkable student-leader who is an active and integral piece of our school. She holds leadership positions in both the Black Student Union and World Language Club as well as membership in the AVID program, Honor’s Society, Chess Club, and Key Club. Yssabella has demonstrated her commitment, communication, and leadership skills as the 2025 PHS Daffodil Princess. Her dedication to activities and academics has shaped her into a strong and inspirational young woman.

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Victoria Hernandez

• Student Activities

  • HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) President

  • Honor Society

  • Palmer Legacy Scholar

  • UDOC 2024 (University of Washington summer program)

  • Bloodworks Northwest school blood drives

  • Sports Medicine state competition (#6 for Anatomage)

  • LA CHISPA mentorship event

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• Honors

  • Washington State Seal of Biliteracy

  • Two-time HOSA Varsity Letter

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• Community Activities

  • MultiCare front desk volunteer

  • MultiCare STAR Event Coordinator (Children’s Therapy Unit Talent Show)

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• Hobbies

  • Shadowing healthcare professionals

  • DFAD (Doctor for a Day) workshops

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• Next Stop

  • Whitman College

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• Faculty Comment Submitted by Sarah Sherry
  Victoria’s list of accolades is a tribute to her hard work, but what those awards don’t tell you is what a respectful, kind, thoughtful person she is. Victoria is determined, she has overcome obstacles no teenager should ever have to negotiate, but it has never dimmed her goodness or desire to push herself. Some people are lights to others, but some people sparkle even in the darkness.

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Taylor Jenkins

• Student Activities

  • 4x Varsity Cheer

  • Varsity Gymnastics

  • Jesus Club

  • PHS Daffodil Court

  • National Honor Society

  • DECA

  • Nursing Assistant Program

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• Honors

  • AP Capstone Recipient

  • AP Scholar

  • All-American Cheerleader

  • Varsity Cheer Captain

  • Corinthian Outstanding Junior

  • WIAA Athletic Leader Representative

  • 2nd at DECA Conference

  • PHS Captain's Council

  • WIAA Distinguished Scholar

  • State Cheer Champion

  • 4x State Cheer Championship Qualifier

  • Most Inspirational

  • PHS Viking Cheer Pom

  • Ben Weymiller Youth Hero

  • SPSL Sportsmanship

  • PHS Top 20 Senior

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• Community Activities

  • Beads of Courage

  • Fundraisers for Pediatric Cancer and Breast Cancer

  • Winter Wishes

  • Tutoring

  • Homeless Outreach

  • Teddy Bear Drive

  • Step by Step

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• Hobbies

  • Working out

  • Spending time outdoors

  • Traveling

  • Concerts

  • Volunteering

  • Spending time with family and friends

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• Next Stop

  • University of Tampa

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• Faculty Comment Submitted by Jalene McKechnie
  Taylor is a standout student-athlete who embodies the true meaning of dedication, discipline, and balance. As an honor student, Taylor consistently demonstrates academic excellence and a passion for learning. Beyond the classroom, Taylor is a dedicated community member, actively participating in various initiatives with her cheer team and making a positive impact on those around her. With a servant heart and an incredible work ethic, Taylor exemplifies the values of compassion and perseverance!

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Drew Jones

• Student Activities

  • Varsity Baseball

  • Varsity Basketball – Team Captain

  • Leadership Student

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• Honors

  • District's President List

  • President's Award for Academics

  • The National Society of High School Scholars

  • SPSL 4A League's Most Valuable Player

  • PHS Varsity Basketball Team Captain

  • PHS Varsity Basketball Offensive MVP

  • SPSL First and Second Team All-League Basketball Player

  • WIAA State Championship Tournament MVP

  • PHS basketball record: over 1,000 points and 300 assists

  • Oregon/Washington All-Star Game

  • Tacoma Athletics Commission Athlete of the Year

  • First Team All-Area

  • First Team All-State

  • 3.95 GPA

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• Community Activities

  • PHS Basketball Camps Volunteer Coordinator

  • Feed My Starving Children Volunteer

  • Special Olympics Volunteer

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• Hobbies

  • Lifting weights

  • Hanging out with friends

  • Spike ball

  • Sports

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• Next Stop

  • Still deciding on where I will be attending college

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• Faculty Comment Submitted by Katie Akeson
  Drew is truly one of the best that Puyallup High School has to offer. He not only excels in the classroom with his 4.0 GPA but also on the basketball court where he led PHS Boys Basketball Team to a 2nd place in State this year. He also etched his name in the record books by being the only player with 1000 points and 300 assists in his high school career. His work ethic and dedication are second to none. On top of his academic and athletic achievements, he participates in numerous community service activities, from running clothing drives to volunteering at youth basketball camps, which demonstrates his dedication to the community. He is an excellent student as well as an excellent human. He will definitely go on and do GREAT things!

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David Kim

• Student Activities

  • Taekwondo

  • Viking Knights and Ladies

  • National Honor Society

  • Cross Country

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• Honors

  • National Merit Commended Scholar

  • Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship

  • AP Capstone Diploma

  • AP Scholar with Distinction

  • U.S. National Taekwondo Championship

  • QuestBridge Scholar

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• Community Activities

  • Church Youth Group

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• Hobbies

  • Piano

  • Going outdoors

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• Next Stop

  • Princeton

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• Faculty Comment Submitted by Amanda Naylor
  David is a stellar student who is respected for his humility, kindness, and perceptiveness. He has taken 15 AP classes and possesses an authentic intellectual curiosity, often staying after class to chat with classmates about the day’s learning. David not only leads within the classroom but also outside of it, where he is a taekwondo instructor. His presence has truly made PHS a better place!

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Zakharii Kovalchuk

• Student Activities

  • Varsity Wrestling Team

  • AP Student

  • Church Operator

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• Honors

  • 3 Wrestling Varsity Letters

  • 2 Dedication Awards in Wrestling

  • State Wrestling Qualifier (2025)

  • Student of the Month in Math and Science

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• Community Activities

  • Volunteered in the Netherlands supporting other refugees from Ukraine

  • Church volunteer (technical/media team)

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• Hobbies

  • Wrestling

  • Martial arts (Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Grappling, MMA)

  • Exploring physics concepts and real-world applications

  • Hiking

  • Spending time outdoors

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• Next Stop

  • University of Washington

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• Faculty Comment Submitted by Matthew Taron
  Zak is an excellent student and a varsity athlete with a very bright academic future. He’s a standout at PHS for his remarkable effort here, and even more for all that he has been through before he joined us. Leaving his home in Ukraine when war broke out, he spent months volunteering to help other displaced people in Europe before coming to America. He exudes kindness and intelligence in everything he does.

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