MARYSVILLE – Carson Mielke and Eden Au Nguyen, both seniors at Marysville Getchell High School, are the December Boy and Girl of the Month, as chosen by the Marysville Soroptimist and Kiwanis clubs.
Mielke, who ranks No. 1 in his class with a 4.0 grade point average, not only is a standout academically, but also in sports and community service.
As a member of the leadership council he attempted to break the cycle of poverty in the community. The council received $15,000 from the Seattle Seahawks to buy diapers and food for those in need. He also was part of other food and diaper drives. He also has been involved with Special Olympics, running events such as golf and softball tournaments, along with fun runs. “I stepped out of my comfort zone” and met some of the best people I’ve ever known, he said.
He’s also been involved with campus cleanups, with the Pilchuck Soccer Alliance maintaining fields and as an assistant coach, and as a camp counselor. He has also been a youth leader for the United Way, treasurer for the band, been a cabinet member for his class and is a captain on the swim team. Mielke is proud of that last designation as he didn’t really know how to swim until he started turning out a few years ago. He also has played baseball, track and soccer. In band, he is part of the drumline, pep band and wind ensemble. He also tutors in math.
For work, he has his own lawn business, and he also is a referee.
Mielke wants to become a pediatric nurse because he loves kids. Last summer he was among 40 students nationwide selected to attend a nursing camp at Children’s Hospital in Seattle. He plans to get a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Meanwhile, Nguyen, who has a gpa of 3.96, also is very involved with community service as a member of the school’s Key Club. Along with being their webmaster, she also has been involved with teaching dance and cheer to people in the local Eagle Wings DisAbility Ministries. Last summer she was named an All-American at cheer camp and is captain of the cheer squad. One of her favorite activities was helping to put on Culture Week at MG. Her family heritage is from Vietnam, and she got emotional when talking about her visit there last summer. “They are independent people – all strong women,” she said. Nguyen added that many students are not as connected to their culture as she is. She likes to wear a traditional dress, for instance.
“Enrichment is lacking” at the school, she said. “No matter where you are from, home is MG” was the overall message she wanted to get across to fellow students.
For a career, she said she wants to be a videographer like her uncle. She hopes to intern with him to learn the ropes. If that doesn’t work out she might go into advertising. She wants to major in marketing and communications at the University of Washington.
