2023 Students of Distinction

Annaliese Guarin turned her academic career around

Gig Harbor Now is posting profiles of each of the Students of Distinction being honored by the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. The students will be honored during a banquet from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Ocean5, 5268 Point Fosdick Dr.

Student: Annaliese Guarin

School: Henderson Bay High School

Category: Overcoming Adversity

Annaliese Guarin has attended 14 different schools, but never found real success until this year at Henderson Bay.

Last spring, she said, she “wasn’t doing too good in school.” She stopped going to classes for the last few months. The future didn’t look very bright.

This year at Henderson, she’s doing extremely well given all she has faced and will graduate on time. Still, it’s been another rollercoaster year for her as her mother and siblings moved to Tri Cities.

Rather than moving with them, Annaliese decided to stay in the Gig Harbor area to finish out her high school career at Henderson Bay. She made it worthwhile with her straight A’s. In addition, Annaliese works in order to help bring in additional income.

“Henderson Bay has given me great opportunities,” she said. And she’s leaving a legacy at the school in the form of a rock garden she designed as a school project, using rocks her fellow students painted. “I like the idea of adding more color to our school,” she said.

Now she’s looking forward to possibily attending Northwest College of Art and Design this fall to study graphic design and motion design.

Annaliese Guarin

Parent: Desiree Guarin

Accomplishments: Straight-A student; designed a rock garden for the school using rocks painted by her classmates

Favorite teacher: Janelle “…because she makes me feel comfortable to talk with her about my personal life. She’s really chill and feels like another mom to me. But she also knows how to get you to be serious when it’s time.”

Best thing about Henderson Bay: “All the staff. Everyone actually wants you to succeed so they do their best to get you there. They all have good learning techniques and good advice. I’ve never been to a school surrounded by this much support in my life. I love the staff.”