At Bothell High School, I co-founded a Communities for Our Colleges chapter with my classmate Sanika. As I enter my senior year, I’m taking college-level classes through the College in the High School program, which allows me to earn credits and save money. But I know that once I graduate, the real challenge begins.
My dream is to attend law school, serve as a foreign service officer, and eventually pursue public office—first locally, and then at the federal level. I believe deeply that education should be a right, not a privilege. For some people, nothing is truly affordable until everyone can afford it.
My parents have already raised concerns about the high costs of tuition. I haven’t started college yet, but I already feel the weight of those financial barriers. Too many students see their dreams narrowed because of cost.
Guaranteeing the first two years of college free would open doors for more students, and just as importantly, it would help build a culture where education is accessible to all. An investment in free college doesn’t just shape students’ futures—it strengthens our democracy by creating more informed, engaged voters who can make educated choices.