Skip to content
Husky 100

Category: Husky 100 Spotlights

Student Stories: Kamaka’ike Bruecher

Kamaka’ike Bruecherweb_Natalie Bruecher_2018_03_01_0035_edit

Seattle, WA
B.A., Public Health, Anthropology: Medical Anthropology & Global Health

Year awarded 2018

To me, the Husky 100 is a way to highlight the many stories at UW and the different students that make our campus unique. For students whose stories are less seen or whose communities are invisible, this can be a great way to highlight not just our own personal journeys but the collective journeys of all the spaces and communities we are involved with. Husky 100 means pride, visibility, and celebration of those who make the most of their Husky Experience. Visibility is important in such a big school because there are so many stories to tell and Husky 100 can help show other students that there are students like them, thriving and building their own paths, making the most of what UW has to offer.

The criterion I connect the most with is Connect the Dots, because my educational journey is not just about the classroom, it is about my family and community as well. I have been able to connect the many places I learn from and thrive within through undergraduate research, registered student organizations, study abroad, and community events both on and off campus. I am thankful that my learning is not confined to one space but flows between places and people. 

Advice I would give to students is put your whole self out there, be unapologetic and don’t be afraid to tell the parts of your journey that need to be seen.

Student Stories: Daisy Zavala-Flores

Daisy Zavala-Flores

Santa Cruz, CADaisy Zavala-Flores
B.S., Materials Science & Engineering

Year awarded 2019

My experience at UW was transformative in the sense that I followed what interested me, which led me to where I am today. I applied to Husky 100 as a tribute to myself, my accomplishments and as a reflection of where I have been and where I am going.

My experiences at the UW have been led by my curiosity, and Husky 100 recognized how this defined my path to where I am today. I was able to be a part of multiple communities because the UW has access to so many opportunities.

I hope that my Husky 100 experience demonstrates that first generation college students, like myself, can pursue degrees that spark from their curiosity and interests, without needing to hold back.

I’ve had an incredibly unique college path to where I am, just following where my interests were, but also being able to contribute to the communities that I actively participated in. I never held back. 

College isn’t just about going to class and studying, there are so many experiences to gain outside the classroom, and I hope that members of the Husky 100 can inspire all UW students to take action in their communities and get involved. 

Student Stories: Prithvi Shetty

Prithvi Shetty2019 Husky 100 Prithvi Shetty

Mumbai, India
M.S., Information Management: Data Science

Year awarded 2019

UW gave me a head start for applying Machine Learning through research work, which, throughout the two years of my student life, helped me realize my passion for Data Science. Along with academics, representing UW for E-sports (CS:GO) in 2018-19 helped me evolve my zeal for E-sports. While presiding over UW Umang, being in the student organization gave me a chance to promote diversity. I envision becoming a data scientist and advancing the scope of Data Science applications to not just technology but for medicine and social good.

I applied for the Husky 100 program because it was a good opportunity to portray through my research work that Data Science can be implemented to not just technology but also in the field of medicine and social good. As an international student from India, this award has motivated and given me a great platform to express my passion for Data Science.

The Husky 100 serves as an excellent platform for students to put out their stories leading to their passion out in the public which can serve as an inspiration for the rest of the students. I feel honored to be selected for the Husky 100 program and getting a chance to represent my MSIM cohort and the iSchool. I’m really grateful to all my professors, friends and family for being supportive throughout my time at UW.

I would like to thank Prof. Benjamin Althouse, Prof., Mike Doane, Prof. Reza Hosseini, Prof. Sean McGann and Prof. Linda Shapiro for helping me pursue research opportunities in Data Science.

Student Stories: Ariana Anjaz

Ariana AnjazAriana Anjaz

Kent, WA
B.A., Public Health – Global Health Nutritional Sciences

Year awarded 2019

Why did you apply for the Husky 100?

I applied for the Husky 100 to share my story and show other students who may be able to relate to my unique circumstances. I wanted to show that you can still be a mom, study as a full time-student, work to pay your bills and support your family and pursue your Husky Experience to the fullest by doing study abroad, pursuing multiple internships and conducting research. Nothing is impossible.

What does being a Husky 100 mean to you throughout your journey at UW?

The Husky 100 is such an honor and really is the cherry on my sundae to finish off my time here as an undergraduate at the UW. It’s sort of like a stamp of approval to seal the fact that I really did use my time at UW wisely and I lived my life to the fullest. 

What does being a Husky 100 mean to you and your communities? 

The Husky 100 is a testament to my perseverance through trials and tribulations in life which should have hindered my ability to be successful at the University of Washington. But because I persevered and I traveled out of my comfort zone in the last four years, I can not only say “I made it,” but I can say that I made it and I did it well. To my community, it means that as a Muslim woman of color, I didn’t let marriage and motherhood and adversity stop me from achieving my dreams.

Through your experience, how did you embody one of the Husky 100 criteria?

One of the most significant Husky 100 criteria that I embodied in my experience is “Ready for What is Next.” The Husky 100 are “undeterred by the risk of failure, they pursue their own goals with savvy and fortitude.” All of the information that I learned in the classrooms at UW were taken and applied to the opportunities I pursued during my undergrad years. I took the knowledge I had just learned and looked for opportunities where I could apply this knowledge to real life experiences such as study abroad, three different internships, and a research assistant position. Each application I submitted had the risk of rejection and that was a risk I was willing to take. One of the biggest lessons I learned in the classroom is that you cannot achieve anything if you don’t try. By “shooting my shot,” I only net gain in the long run. Because of these experiences I took a risk on, I ended up learning and practicing the key experiences and skills I needed to get my dream job. After I graduate, I will be taking the position of Assistant Director of Health and Wellness at the Kent YMCA. I am Ready for What is Next.

How does the Husky 100 inspire other students?

Husky 100 gives other students something to achieve and strive for. It also gives students a little bit more motivation to take risks and pursue experiences to really use their time here at UW to the fullest. 

Were there mentors or communities that were a part of your journey at UW?

First and foremost, my husband Navid and fellow undergrad student in the Public Health-Global Health major has been my number one supporter, challenger and friend. Without him, I wouldn’t have had the strength to continue on this student/working mom journey alone.

My undergraduate academic advisor Donna Sharpe has been such a kind and caring mentor to me especially before I decided what I wanted to major in. She has mentored me through my many changes of majors and written loads of letters of recommendations for me. But most importantly, she believed in me when I wasn’t doing so well.

Professor Clarence Spigner, who I have taken many classes with and a study abroad to the United Kingdom, was also instrumental to my journey at UW. He is one of the few professors on this campus who talks about the hard subjects like race, racism and all of the -isms that affect people of color and people who are different from the norm. He gave me a safe space to express myself and gave me a place where I could feel like I actually belonged on this campus and for that, I am grateful.

Michelle Garrison, Director of Center for Health Innovation and Policy Science took a chance on me as a research assistant and gave me the amazing opportunity to participate in and experience policy research at the University of Washington. Lars Almquist, PhD student and graduate research assistant at the Center mentored me and really went out of his way to teach me valuable new things in the research world.

Marita White, a TA in the very first class I took at the UW (who later became my classmate and friend in another quarter), helped me in more ways than I can count.

Finally, the friends I made at the IMA and the friends I made in the Public Health-Global Health major Aisha (my first friend at UW!), Julia, Abdi, Natalie, Nick, Anwar and Sammie. Through thick and thin, 1:00 AM study sessions, group work, and post-exam celebrations, my journey here at the UW was so much better and more enjoyable because of them.

Student Stories: Alexander Michael Ratcliff

Alexand2019 Husky 100 Alex Ratcliffer Michael Ratcliff

Spokane, WA
B.S., Environmental Engineering

Year awarded 2019

Why did you apply for the Husky 100?

I was nominated by several faculty and friends who encouraged me to apply.

What does being a Husky 100 mean to you throughout your journey at UW?

It is a recognition of all of the hard work and sacrifices I have made during my time at the UW; I chose to take on additional work and projects beyond what was expected in the classroom.

What does being a Husky 100 mean to you and your communities? 

The Husky 100 exemplifies students with a commitment to working through adversity and making the most of the time they have. The Husky 100 is a way to identify and celebrate students who are dedicated to a higher service and have a strong work ethic.

Through your experience, how did you embody one of the Husky 100 criteria?

Through the several solar array installations that I coordinated on campus I learned how to “connect the dots” by bringing together faculty and staff from several different campus organizations. As a student, I would communicate with various building managers, campus engineers, facility managers, sustainability advocates, solar contractors, and donor organizations to meet their needs and expectations. As I learned more about engineering in the classroom, I was able to apply that knowledge to the projects I was working on. Rather than facilitating the conversations between these groups, I was contributing to the discussion and making a number of the decisions for the projects. In this way, my work with real-world engineering on campus also made me “ready for what is next.” 

How does the Husky 100 inspire other students?

The Husky 100 is a great recognition for any student to strive toward. I hope that the possibility of being chosen to this selective cohort will inspire other students to work harder and make more of their time at the UW.

Were there mentors or communities that were a part of your journey at UW?

Absolutely, my journey would have been impossible without them. There are a number of mentors that I would like to personally thank: Stefanie Young, Prof. Jan Whittington, Mariko Navin, Prof. Michael Dodd, and Prof. Michael Brett.

Is there anything that you would like to add?

There are unlimited opportunities at the University. No matter what you want to accomplish in your free time, there is a pathway to do it. The faculty and staff at the UW are incredibly supportive of student projects and research, and all it takes is a little bit of effort to get the ball rolling.

Student Stories: Shawnna Marcelino Cabanday

Shawnna Marcelino Cabanday

Mukilteo, WA2019 Husky 100 Shawnna Cabanday
B.S., Electrical Engineering

Year awarded 2019

I applied for Husky 100 because I wanted to recognize and reflect on the journey that the University of Washington has provided for me. My time as a Husky has helped me transform into the best version of myself and it has helped me realize that anything I want to achieve is possible. 

My Husky 100 experience was a collection of unsureness and challenge that evolved into personal triumph. I was fueled to find passion in leadership activities and establishing an inclusive community despite moments of vulnerability and feelings of helplessness in my male-dominated engineering courses. 

Throughout my Husky Experience, I was heavily involved in research, leadership, and mentorship roles for study abroad and younger children. I traveled to Japan last summer to develop a lighting control system operated by a battery-less, wireless sensor network. Through the unplanned spontaneity of studying abroad and living in a state of unfamiliarity, I recognized my broader role as a multipolar citizen of the globe rather than as a lone female engineer. It was through the collection of past moments of unsureness and challenge that I was able to realize the true heart of my Husky Experience: to not exist in dread of who I am, but to live in celebration of who I can become.

My greatest mentor that was a part of my journey at UW every step of the way was my father, Noel Cabanday Sr., who passed away last month on April 20, 2019. He always told me, “Shawnna, as long as you put your heart into it, YOU CAN DO IT!” Along with his inspiration, I am grateful for my mother, brothers, friends, extended family, and my professor, Dr. Hussein.  

 

Student Stories: Long Tran

Long Tran

Renton, WA
B.A., Communication, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Global Engagement

Year awarded 2019

I applied to the Husky 100 as an attempt to synthesize several of my major accomplishments under the theme of my disconnection to Vietnamese culture. Everything I’ve done during my undergraduate career has resulted in me actively pursuing a further understanding of my own identity as a Vietnamese-American. I wanted to find a way to articulate this in the Husky 100 application, in written form, to look back at the direction I’ve taken as a student at the University of Washington Tacoma.

The Husky 100 empowers me, validates me, and inspires me to do more, to be excited about my future. As a graduating senior, it’s common to feel burnt out and unmotivated, but this recognition serves as a reminder of the importance and impact of my work in academia and professionally. It reminds me that what I’ve done throughout my four years has led me on a path to a place where I’m confident in myself and proud of how far I’ve come. It means the hours of sleep I’ve lost, compromises I’ve had to make, and damage to my mental health has earned me a place among other incredibly successful individuals in the Husky 100.

Beyond the fact that I was gifted beautiful headshots, the freedom to express myself meant a lot to me and many other Vietnamese-Americans that might have seen my photograph. In my photograph, I wore a scarf of the South Vietnam flag as a way to make visible the experiences of the Vietnamese diaspora of my family and others with similar experiences. It was a way to pay tribute to my parents and a political statement of defiance against the Vietnamese War and the injustice that has gone on before, during, and after the war.

Although I have much to say about all five Husky 100 criteria, the one I’d like to focus on is how I connect the dots. I connect the dots by using my personal struggles with “American” identity to drive what I’ve done in school. In the classroom, I focused on learning about the Vietnam War from differing perspectives and used my personal lens to drive the writing of my honors essays, allowing me to integrate history accurately through research, while also taking a clear social justice-oriented stance that empowers Vietnamese-Americans. Also, outside the classroom, I started the Vietnamese Student Association at the University of Washington Tacoma. I try to actively engage in all directions of my academic and personal life to not only make a difference for the Vietnamese-American public discourse but to gain a more clear sense of self.

I think the Husky 100 inspires other students to dream bigger than high GPAs, aim higher than simply being in an honors program, look beyond what kind of job they’ll end up with after graduation. The Husky 100 inspires students to be visible, vocal, present, impactful, strong, outspoken, driven, powerful, and resilient. The Husky 100 compel students to identify flaws with human life and find ways to improve our well-being and environment.  

I’d like to thank my immigrant parents for working hard for the “American dream,” for their two children to go to college and have a better life than they had during and after the Vietnam War.

From the very onset of my career, I have to thank Dr. Joanne Clarke Dillman for helping me find my place in my research and inspiring me to do what she does, teaching film studies. I’d like to also thank Dr. David Coon who helped me expand my vision as a filmmaker to complement my career aspirations in academia as a film professor.

Student Stories: Neha Chhabra

Neha Chhabra2019 Husky 100 Neha Chhabra

Lynnwood, WA
B.S. Biology, Chemistry

Year awarded 2019

Why did you apply for the Husky 100?

The application itself allowed me to reflect on my experiences at UW Bothell. Students at my institution in the past have been recognized for their hard work and efforts through this award, and I felt that my leadership skills and experiences on campus truly impacted other students’ lives by connecting them to their communities.

What does being a Husky 100 mean to you throughout your journey at UW?

The Husky 100 is not only an award, but a recognition of making the most of being a UW Student. It means that I can make connections with other alumni and feel more closely connected to the institution itself. With the work that I do on and off campus, it is difficult to see direct change or a shift in a community because change cannot happen overnight. With this award, I felt like all my efforts, which may at times feel minuscule, were well worth the time and energy.

What does being a Husky 100 mean to you and your communities?

To my organization that I have been closely involved with, the Husky 100 means that good is bound to come to anyone who takes advantage of the opportunities introduced to them. It means that there is only more involvement to grow from here.

Through your experience, how did you embody one of the Husky 100 criteria?

My Husky Experience allowed me to connect the dots between all of my trajectories and interests. As a pre-health student, students are not instructed on the demographics of patients they may interact with in their future. The needs of communities are not addressed. Through my work as an Achieving Community Transformation Service Chair, I was able to combine my knowledge of population demographics, areas that needs more resources and the needs of communities in conjunction with my pre-dental path. How can I connect the dots of the communities I’ve worked in and been exposed to see their needs and attend to their oral health?

How does the Husky 100 inspire other students?

Working closely with other students at UWB has allowed me to get to know individuals who are game-changers. They work so hard for what they do, and make huge impacts on campus. This award will recognize those students for their efforts towards making UWB a more inclusive, and involved campus and shy away from the stereotype of “commuter campus.”

Were there mentors or communities that were a part of your journey at UW?

The Department of Community Based Learning and Research.

Is there anything that you would like to add?

Thank you for this recognition, I feel incredibly honored.

Terra Hoy’s letter to her 12-year-old self

The journey to leadership is a personal one as well as a public one. As Terra Hoy reflects on the experiences that led to her becoming a member of the first Husky 100 cohort, she shares this letter to her 12-year-old self.

Terra Hoy Husky 100

A letter to My 12-Year-Old Self on Being a Feminist Transwoman of Color and member of the UW Husky 100 2016 Cohort

Dear Michael Terra,

I send you my dearest condolences – puberty waits around the corner. When the male parts between your legs develop a mind of its own, you will feel absolutely repulsed and detached from it. But don’t worry – it’s only temporary. Many people struggle with their bodies in similar ways, and you will be there to support them. Like all things, this too shall pass.

Once you are more comfortable in your body, your existence will make great changes in the world. Not only in your own health, but also for large populations affected by your multiple careers. Take lead in filling the gaps in equal rights! People will confide in you for support and guidance, and, as someone interested in public health, policy, and governance who has faced relatable challenges of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and finances, you will be able to take action.

Trust me when I promise you a future of leadership. In your first few years of college, you will: maintain the health and safety of up to 30 retired and/or disabled residents simultaneously as a nursing assistant; share stories of transitioning from male to female with many audiences with different understandings of gender, sex, sexuality, and identities; advocate for the underlying mental and physical health disparities in transgender healthcare; and even work to promote safe environments in which diverse students can advance in their studies.

I know it’s a lot to take in, but don’t let these endeavors scare you away. After all these accomplishments, you will be given a medal from UW. This medal – The Husky 100 – will hang in you and your partner’s room to remind you of the current and future successes you bear. You are one of the 100 awarded with this new recognition by the University, including the UW President!

No matter how many days and nights you spend depressed and alone, contemplating suicide, believing you cannot become the real you, please remember that YOUR FUTURE SELF is telling you that you DO have a bright future, things DO work out, and the feelings of hopelessness DO come to an end.

Ma spent her childhood escaping from the Khmer Rouge, so she is passing on to you the first generation of education, good fortune, and privileges she and the rest of our family never had. Ma and big sis have and always continue to show you how to provide for the well-being of those in need. Don’t forget you are in this world to love yourself, the ones who continue to suffer, and the family who brought you to where you are today.

You do NOT need to be assigned female at birth to be a strong female like your mother and sister, though your future self may or may not have a sex reassignment surgery scheduled in a year from now. Suddenly the plumbing between your legs doesn’t sound so bad, right? Meanwhile, try not to sweat the deep voice, scarring acne, poor athleticism, and … offensive body odors…

 

Sincerely,

A strong female – the 21-year-old version of you

Regina Harper’s journey to become a Husky 100

Regina Husky 100

Regina Harper

Tacoma, WA
BA Criminal Justice ’17

On March 23, 2013, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness and, despite a year of occupational and physical therapy, my doctors concluded that I would not be able to return to my position as a health care professional. I strived to improve my health, but due to my physical limitations, the career that I loved and worked so hard for was placed beyond my reach. While lying in bed one night, I had the realization that I must form a new goal and that goal was to return to college in hopes of embarking on a career that would be suitable for life with my condition. The University of Washington’s mission statement writes that our students are united in our “belief in possibility and unshakable optimism,” and I truly believe that if anyone can enact change, it’s a Husky.

Going back to school

I chose to attend the UW because of its affordability, location, racially and culturally diverse students and faculty, and its excellent reputation. My first inclination was to get my bachelor’s degree so that I could move into an administration role in the healthcare profession. However, my goals changed after I completed two quarters successfully and started to take the time to actually self-reflect and think about what kind of career would make me happy.

I had to ask myself the question of how I could continue to help people outside the health care profession. As I spent time figuring out my identity while taking core electives, I was able to really embrace my worth and realize how I could give back to my community.

After extensive soul searching, I realized that I always enjoyed working with children, particularly juveniles, who had lost their way. I have always wanted to help children who needed a second chance in life. If I can be the voice for a juvenile who has been victimized, incarcerated, homeless, or defeated, then working in the criminal justice program will have been profoundly worthwhile. So, I applied and was accepted into the Criminal Justice program.

Later, in my junior year, I found an internship opportunity at the Pierce County Remann Hall Juvenile Courts, where I was able to assist probation officers with monitoring juveniles. At this time, I also took on the responsibility of being the sole caretaker of my mother. I was blessed by this opportunity because it has strengthened our relationship as well as allowed me to give back to the woman who provided me with the resources I needed to pursue my dreams.

Applying for the Husky 100 award

In my junior year, I saw an email about the Husky 100 award, but I ignored it thinking that I was too busy with work and had little chance of winning. It was my friend and mentor who encouraged me to apply for this particular award, specifically as I would be a senior soon and the award ensured assistance with creating a LinkedIn profile and also offered resume building workshops. Weeks later, I received a letter from the Husky 100 team stating that I had been nominated and encouraging me to complete the online application and essay process. Throughout the application process, I attended several writing workshops here on campus where they gave me helpful feedback on my application essay.

Sometime in March after submitting my essay, I received a “Congratulations!” email from then-interim provost Gerald Baldasty. I still remember the exact place where I was standing when reading my award letter.Regina with President Cauce

I was so surprised and incredibly humbled that my academic and community outreach efforts were being appreciated and acknowledged with such a prestigious award. Throughout my lifetime, my efforts have often been met with discouragement and resistance, and to finally have support and acknowledgement was truly an emotional moment for me. To stand next to such high-achieving peers enforced my own feelings of deep appreciation for the UW campus that so publicly values the accomplishments of its students.

Since becoming a Husky 100

Since the Husky 100 announcement, I have experienced a lot. I am currently the recruiter and marketing officer for the Criminal Justice League. This summer I was blessed with the opportunity to attend a study abroad trip to the Netherlands where I had the chance to experience the different intersections of the criminal justice system by exploring historical and current approaches to crime and delinquency in the Netherlands.

Upon returning, I was also fortunate to be part of a Spring BreakAway camp program here at Tacoma’s Rescue Mission, which allowed eight UW students to live in a local homeless shelter for a week. This was a very emotional experience for me. By the third day, I was overwhelmed with emotions and ready to go home. I was previously clueless to what homeless individuals endure on a day-to-day basis. Through these experiences, as well as a myriad of others that I have experienced throughout my time as a Husky 100, I have gained a greater awareness of what it means to truly embrace the many cultures, ethnicities and classes represented here on campus.

Gratitude & My FutureRegina and Dubs

This award has opened many doors here at UW, and I’m sure will continue to help me as I continue my education and build my network. Without this award, I would not have been able to meet many of my fellow winners who have inspired me so much with their continued efforts both on and off campus. I would not have been able to meet and be inspired by our chancellor or the many members of our staff, faculty, and professors who serve as excellent role models for UW students. I am proud to be named one of the first Husky 100 recipients and will constantly strive to create a “world of good” by passionately advocating for greater inclusivity in my community.

My goals, in terms of this award, include recruiting new Husky 100 cohort applicants as future campus ambassadors and striving to fulfill UW’s tenets of inclusivity and unshakeable optimism. Currently I’m working on my admissions essays to graduate schools here in Washington state to further my education with a master’s degree in Social Welfare. Applying to graduate school is a complex and daunting process. However, I believe that the University of Washington Tacoma has furnished me with the tools I need in order to thrive at whichever school I choose to attend.