The Rotary Club of Everett on November 18, 2025 honored three local high school students as Rotary Students of the Month.

Each month during the school year the club recognizes and celebrates outstanding high school students in the city of Everett for their accomplishments and their promise.

 

Cascade High School Student of the Month is Sophia Thigpen, who exemplifies the ideal balance of academic excellence, leadership, and service. She is a standout scholar with a 4.0 GPA and has completed nine rigorous AP courses, earning top scores. She serves as the President of the National Chinese Honor Society, Vice President of Band, and Secretary of Key Club, is active in several other clubs. She is a competitive tennis player and served as a multi-year team captain. Sophia hopes for a career in anesthesiology, where her excellence and care for others will continue to shine.

 

Student of the Month from Sequoia High is Sydney Baker, who loves being involved and making things better for those around her. As ASB President, she balances leadership with teamwork, positivity, respect and humor. She is dependable, easy to talk to and someone who brings good energy to any situation.  Her first leadership project was the annual spring fundraiser. “It shockingly went very well in terms of school-wide involvement, community engagement and overall revenue,” Sydney said, “and that success pushed me to want to take a more active role in leadership going forward.” 

 

Everett High Student of the Month is Kalekidan Banti, who has maintained a GPA of 3.9 while challenging herself with multiple AP courses. Her teachers describe her as the kind of student who elevates every space she enters. “She consistently creates spaces where everyone feels valued, actively seeks out student voice in decisions, collaborates with purpose,” said one, “and leads by example through her reliability and strong work ethic.” Another said “Kalekidan Banti is a delight—hard working, diligent, focused and kind. She is the kind of young woman who gives you hope about the future.”