CP student receives achievement award

Hana C. Page, a student at Clover Park High School has received The Alexander Hamilton Citizenship Achievement Award for superior citizenship and achievement in national competition. Hamilton Awards are given annually by The Alexander Hamilton Friends Association (Hamilton Friends) of Seattle, Washington. It includes a cash award, a copy of the biography, Alexander Hamilton by author Ron Chernow, an autographed copy of Hamilton by the Slice, by its author William Chrystal, and a celebratory proclamation signed by Doug Hamilton, the fifth great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton.

Ms. Page was one of 50 students from all over the United States who received cash awards. The award is sponsored by Hamilton Friends of Seattle, Washington. Candidates are judged on their personal and community service achievements. Achievement criteria include a general category as well as scholastic and entrepreneurial categories. Service includes service to the community at large and service to the student's school. "The award was again very competitive. We received over 400 applications from 48 states. Winners represented 22 states" said George T. Cox, president of the Hamilton Friends. "Our goal is to identify young people who have set high standards for citizenship and achievement in their lives. We are very excited about Hana's potential for future greatness. The Lakewood community is lucky to have her as a resident", concluded Cox. When Hana's achievements are reviewed it is easy to see why the Seattle-based organization was so impressed.

In its first six years, Hamilton Friends has recognized nearly 500 young people for superior service and achievement. "These young people give us tremendous hope. With proper attitude, support, experiences and inspiration I have no doubt they will achieve great things in their lives," said Cox.

The organization is named for Alexander Hamilton, one of the most important of the 18th century group of people known as founding fathers. He was born out of wedlock in the West Indies. When he was nine, his father abandoned the family, leaving young Alexander, his brother, and their mother Rachel without a penny. Hamilton's mother died only a few years later, when he was thirteen. Within seven years, barely out of his teens and despite these hardships, Hamilton was appointed as aide to General Washington and later became the visionary for America’s federal banking system still used today.

"Our vision is to preserve Hamilton's legacy by energizing tomorrow's leaders," said Cox. "We feel the best way to do this is to help today’s young Hamiltonians more fully achieve their potential so they will make for a better America tomorrow. And that will preserve his legacy, which is really a living one – the United States itself.”

Hana has taken on numerous leadership roles at her high school. As president of the National Honor Society she works to develop meaningful projects and events that can be supported by an extremely low budget. To solve this funding problem, Hana rallied her fellow officers to brainstorm alternative fundraising methods. Ideas which evolved included a movie night, a riddle contest and other events around the school.

Hana was selected to serve as student ambassador at a local community college, where she takes courses not available at her high school. In her role as ambassador, Hana works to smooth the transition to college for over 500 students each quarter, including many ESL students. She organizes events, acts as a Korean translator, and assists in career counseling for students at the college. She has been inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa national honor society for community colleges.

Though deeply involved with the college, Hana remains active at her high school. She serves as president of the National Honor Society and of the Knowledge Bowl team, is a project leader in Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA), is a peer mentor in the Clover Park Mentor Program, and serves as co-captain of the varsity golf team.

Hana has given over 530 hours to community service since entering high school. She tutors at a local elementary school, was a project coordinator for Math Science Leadership (MSL), is the main organizer for community service events for the National Honor Society, acts as a mentor and translator for the Washington-Tacoma Korean American Association and acts as a Clover Park High School Peer Mentor.

Hana is able to serve her community while maintaining a high level of academic excellence. She is ranked in the top 2% of her class with a 4.54 weighted GPA, while taking several courses at the community college. She hopes one day to attend a top university and plans to study bioengineering. This summer, Hana will attend MITES, a six-week engineering summer program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Hana would like to work as a biomedical researcher and ultimately a university professor. "I am dedicated, optimistic and an astute learner, says Hana. I challenge myself every day with my rigorous course load, and I always enjoy helping my peers and fellow citizens. I live every day with my goal in mind, working one step at a time to achieve my dreams."

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