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The City of Portland, Oregon

Nick Fish (In Memoriam)

City of Portland Commissioner

phone: 503-823-3589

Email: nick@portlandoregon.gov

1221 S.W. 4th, Room 240, Portland, OR 97204

Academic Achiever

June 5, 2013

Our own Sophia Kecskes has been featured as a 2013 “Academic Achiever” by The Oregonian!

Sophia graduates from Cleveland High School this month with the honored title of Valedictorian. The community has recognized Sophia’s remarkable achievements, including receiving the “Future First Citizen” award for civic leadership from the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors.

Sophia was also named one of two Presidential Scholars from Oregon. Next week, President Obama will present her with the award. She was also chosen as one of just twelve of the scholars to travel on an international relations trip to China this summer.

Sophia serves as co-chair of the Multnomah Youth Commission; she has been on the commission for the last five years. Nick brought her on to his team two years ago as his Youth Liaison helping with special projects in his office. Sophia also plays varsity lacrosse and participated in speech and debate team.

This fall, Sophia will attend Yale University where she will pursue a degree in international relations. “I’ve grown up with so much privilege, and it makes me uncomfortable to think that a lot of people don’t have those same opportunities. I want to do work to reduce the injustice and reduce some of those inequities on a global scale,” says Sophia.

Congratulations Sophia – we are proud of you!

Cleveland High School's Sophia Kecskes uses local politics to help empower others: Academic Achievers 2013

Nicole Dungca in The Oregonian

Photo courtesy of The Oregonian