My name is Clara, and I’m a freshman at Bothell high school. I immigrated to the United States with my family in 2018, and I was born in Saudi Arabia. I’m Muslim, I love acting, and I absolutely adore cats—I even have one as a pet.
I’m still early in my educational journey, but I already know I want to become a financial advisor. I found that path with the help of career advising back in middle school. Originally, I wanted to be an actor, but I learned how challenging it can be to turn acting into a stable career. Career advising helped me explore my strengths and interests and led me toward a field that feels both meaningful and realistic.
Higher education matters to me because it gives people the knowledge they need to make informed choices—not just for themselves but for their communities. If we don’t have higher education, we can’t vote responsibly, give good advice, or teach others. Education is how society grows.
When it comes to affordability, I don’t think college is affordable at all. I haven’t personally faced the barriers yet, but my parents have, and I know I probably will in the future. That’s why guaranteeing the first two years of college for community and technical college students would make such a big difference. It would help more people get an education, find good jobs, reduce homelessness, and put more qualified people in important positions—like government roles.
Students definitely need support with their basic needs. Maybe not as much in high school, especially in a more resourced area like Bothell, but college students come from all over the world and need housing, food, transportation, and other support. I know about some services at my high school, like Safehouse and other mental health resources for students who get kicked out or don’t have a stable place to stay. Expanding wraparound services would make students feel safer, and when people feel safe, they learn better.
I am interested in going to a community college for 1–2 years and then transferring to a four-year university. It’s more affordable, closer to home, and—hopefully—credits will transfer more easily. But if transfer policies don’t improve, I might not do it at all.
Education, safety, and opportunities are essential—not just for individuals, but for the community and the nation. Clara’s story shows how much potential students have when they feel supported, informed, and secure.