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Kelli Schlegelmilch / 2004 |
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- After high school, what did you do, where did you go? After high school, I attended UW-Eau Claire and majored in Geography + International Studies. While I was a student at UWEC, I studied abroad in Thailand. This experience inspired many travels back to Southeast Asia in the years since. I moved from Eau Claire to Portland, Oregon in 2012 and worked in international homestays and education programs for three years. During that time, I regularly volunteered as a tutor for refugee youth and later pursued a career in refugee support services in Seattle, Washington. For nearly five years, I developed and facilitated programming for refugee youth and elders.
- What are you doing now? Four years ago, my partner and I returned to Portland. I currently work at a family foundation as the Senior Program Coordinator for its youth grantmaking program called CommuniCare. My team and I support groups of high school students as they navigate the grantmaking process and I serve as a point of contact for nonprofits during each grant application cycle. This year, nearly 1,200 teens across 30 high schools in Oregon will grant more than $600,000 to Oregon nonprofits through the program!
- What is your fondest memory from Granton School? There are so many! Overall, I feel lucky to have created over 12 years’ worth of memories with so many of my classmates. I didn’t realize at the time that not many people attend school with (mostly) the same group of students from kindergarten through high school graduation. It’s something really special!
- What do you think were some of your greatest accomplishments during your time at Granton School? I had quite a few academic achievements during my time at Granton School. However, I am most proud of having been involved in so many clubs and activities. I have never regretted taking on numerous leadership roles and trying so many new things.
- Which teacher left the biggest impact on your life and why? I had many great teachers at Granton School, but I’m especially grateful for Mrs. Lorna Vazquez. Her classes challenged me and opened the world up to me in such a new and exciting way.
- If you could give one piece of advice to our current students, what advice would that be? Seek out and take advantage of new opportunities! Clubs, activities, electives, travel, volunteering, internships – try it all. You’ll meet great people, discover new interests, and gain valuable skills.
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