“My high school journey is probably like most people. I joined a club, went to football games, played an instrument, went to Urban almost every day after school, and went to class. But theater and band really shaped my experience, and without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today,” says Mia Smith. As Smith said, she is the person she is today because of the actions she took to get involved with the school community. Smith has been performing on stage for a couple of years, has gained a leadership role, and has served her community in numerous ways; she deserves recognition for her impact on herself and her community.
Mountlake Terrace High School has been very lucky to have had Smith perform in the school plays for the past four years. Her most recent performance was playing Toffee in the school musical “Zombie Prom.”
But theatre, like many cases in our lives, resides in both positive and negative aspects. “There are a lot more pros than cons. The pros: getting to perform on stage, the community, our many traditions, and hearing people clap for you for the first time. I would say the only con is hell week. It’s pretty much in the name, it’s not the most glamorous time. It is the week before the cast of the play or musical perform their show, and everyone gets quite tense,” says Smith. Smith has thrived in all plays, but she feels that “Zombie Prom” was one of her best.
“I think this year’s ‘Zombie Prom’ is the one I’m most proud of. I am truly grateful to have played Toffee and have such an amazing cast to be with.”
Smith has put hard work into the school plays and the theatre community, allowing her to earn the leadership role of thespian in the Mountlake Terrace Drama Club. Smith says the following regarding her role as a thespian: “My role entails helping people figure out/fill out their paperwork to be a thespian (honor society for theater), keeping up with our Washington State thespian page, and keeping track of events that we help/participate in.” With the help of Smith as thespian, she has paved the way for the Mountlake Terrace Drama Club to earn a silver status in Washington state for their theatre performances.
Smith has done a great job helping the Mountlake Terrace community, but she not only helps our community, she helps others, too. Smith has currently been volunteering at two places: Pasado’s Safe Haven – an animal sanctuary that fights to stop animal cruelty, and the Children’s Center – a nonprofit organization that provides mental health services for children and their families.
At Pasado’s Safe Haven, Smith does several things to care for the animals: unloading food to distribute and feed animals, playing with the animals, and helping them get more comfortable in the new environment, which includes keeping their spaces clean.
When Smith helps out at the Children’s Center, she, among others, makes what they call “Heavy Helpers”: “They are stuffed animals with either four or eight pounds of sand in them. And then we drive to Clark County and drop off how many we made. We make the trip two times a year and we bring around 80 per trip.”
Smith has shown to be an incredible person, helping outside the Mountlake Terrace community, learning along the way how to take care of animals, and supplying kids and families in need.
Smith has done incredible things throughout her high school years; whether that be helping out her school community or the community outside of Mountlake Terrace, Smith has set others and, more importantly, herself up for success.
We asked Smith to give some advice for those who are figuring out their future years in high school.
“My advice for anyone is to just get involved and be a part of a club or sport. It may not seem worth it, but it is. Because theater it’s something I truly care about and gave it my all, all four years. And I don’t regret it.”
Smith will soon be signing off to continue her journey: “…[T]his fall, I’ll be attending PLU and majoring in nursing and minoring in theater. And I know it’ll be difficult, but I’m excited.” We know Mia Smith will do incredible things in the following years. Mountlake Terrace High School wishes you the best.
