Youth Spark: Anna Laura Kastama
Name: Anna Laura Kastama
Age: 18
School: School of the Arts - Tacoma
“I pledge to Be the Spark by pursuing a career that allows me to collaborate, inspire and affect my community.”
Not only does Anna Laura inspire her school mates, but also members of her community. She consistently encourages the people around her to have confidence and pursue whatever it is they are passionate about. One of Anna Laura’s mottos is “Never sit by a stranger, instead make it so they are no longer a stranger.” She lives by this because of her love for people.
Anna Laura, the 2010-2011 School of the Arts (SOTA) student body president, makes a point to connect with all students on a personal level. She connects with those that many overlook. SOTA is so integrated into the downtown community and in an area where many homeless people reside. Most students completely overlook them, but not Anna Laura. She makes a consistent effort to connect and care for homeless members of the community, because they are people too. She buys them coffee, meals, and lets them vent to her about struggles they face. She is an inspiration to all.
Anna Laura is always seeking to help out in the community. She has such a positive outlook on life, and is constantly making the people around her feel great about themselves. She is very passionate about education for families that can't afford it.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Anna Laure will do amazing things in her life. She is truly a beautiful person from the inside out,” Paige Rogan, SOTA student.
As a recent graduated from SOTA this June, Anna Laura will continue on to higher education at REED College where she will pursue a degree in child development.