Lilly Emel, Klahowya

Klahowya Secondary School is a family tradition in Lilly's household. Her father, aunt, and uncle are all Klahowya graduates, and many of them even shared the same teachers she would later have.

At first, that legacy felt intimidating. Lilly wanted to live up to her family's reputation at KSS. She did just that, graduating with a 3.9 GPA while becoming an active member of Klahowya's Associated Student Body and a familiar face around campus, always willing to lend a helping hand to classmates and staff alike.

A self-described "independent" person, Lilly rarely has a free moment. Between her coursework, her job as a student intern in Klahowya's main office, and dance classes, she has attended since she was 3 years old, she stays busy. She also found a passion for supporting students with disabilities after working with them in Mrs. Steedman's Child Development class. That inspired her to become a teaching assistant in Klahowya's Intensive Learning Services classroom. "I felt like I found my people," Lilly said.

Lilly says she wouldn't be the person she is today without KSS and the staff members who guided her along the way. "They're always building me up with everything I do," Lilly said. As she graduates, Lilly is proud to continue her family's legacy while creating one of her own.

Q&A

Plans after graduation: Attending Western Washington University to earn her endorsement in Elementary Education and Special Education. 

Greatest accomplishment in CK Schools: Feeling like her teachers and KSS are proud of her. 

Favorite memory in CK Schools: Going to Klahowya football games and the preceding pep rallies. 

A piece of advice that’s stuck out to her: Mrs. Steedman reminded Lily that she is a gift. “Just picturing myself as an actual present when I meet new people, in that I have stuff to give and say and that I’m a valuable person.”

Where she sees herself in 20 years: Teaching at an elementary school, either in special education or in general education, with a house, a backyard, and chickens.