ARLINGTON — Arlington High School graduate Ryann Lewis has danced onboard the USS Intrepid, she’s twirled in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty and she’s a mentor to young girls in the community. She also carried a 3.87 grade-point average throughout high school.
It’s no wonder she received a Boeing Employees Credit Union academic scholarship. BECU received over 600 submissions and selected just 40 high school seniors for its $2,500 scholarship. In the fall, the 18-year-old will begin her freshman year at Western Washington University.
“I didn’t realize that I was selected out of so many people,” said a surprised Lewis. “That makes this all that much more special. I am very proud of this honor.”
In order to receive the scholarship, Lewis had to submit the number of hours and the types of community service she performed. She also had to provide her high school transcripts, a letter of recommendation and write an essay describing her most meaningful community service experience.
“It was easily my involvement with the Star Energy Dance School,” Lewis said. “I started there when I was 13. I am a senior dancer which means I help the younger girls. I was like a big sister. This year I feel like I had my most leadership responsibilities. I took that very seriously and I wanted to leave my mark on the school.”
Aside from mentoring young girls in dance, Lewis also spent time as a volunteer at the Arlington Boys & Girls Club where she was a counselor for the younger kids. The role of counselor as a high school student should come in handy considering she plans on majoring in psychology — at least that’s the direction she’s leaning. A dance major is a close second.
Her sterling grade-point average wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. As a junior and senior, she took advanced-placement chemistry, calculus and psychology.
“I remember getting a B-plus in middle school,” Lewis said, “and I came home so mad. But yes I took some very difficult classes and I am really happy I did well in those classes. But I owe it all to my chemistry teacher Mrs. (Deanna) Vaughn. She had so much enthusiasm and you could just tell she has great love for what she does. But mostly she was so approachable and easy to talk to.”
Away from the classroom, Lewis is becoming a well-accomplished dancer. She started when she was 3 years old and has yet to stop. Lewis and her Star Energy Dance teammates recently returned from a four-day tour in New York City. They performed for tourists and took in a few Broadway shows.
“The trip was absolutely amazing,” Lewis said. “The Statue of Liberty was bigger and better than I ever had thought. We had so much fun and I will always remember that trip.”
