Amethyst Wirkkala, Naselle High School salutatorian

Amethyst Wirkkala, salutatorian. It has a nice ring to it. So does Dr. Amethyst Wirkkala, anesthesiologist.

The degree on which the Naselle/Grays River High School senior has set her sights will take her nearly twice as long to achieve as the period of time that it has been since she decided her career path, six years ago in sixth grade.

"I really love science and math," Wirkkala said. "The program really interested me. I know I have the leadership skills that you have to have to be an anesthesiologist. Most people think a doctor leads most surgeries, but it's really the anesthesiologist because they keep the people alive and under and make sure their vitals are good."

She is no stranger to the hard work and discipline she will need to reach her goals. She has only received one A- and that was from NGRV's math and english teacher, Mr. Wise, her favorite teacher.

"He likes to push me because he knows I can be pushed," Wirkkala said.

She will likely attend LCC in the fall and transfer to UW after two years.

While in high school, she was in the pep club, played on the volleyball team, competed with the knowledge bowl, played marimba in the marimba band, and was cast in two plays. She is the senior class secretary.

She took an online American Sign Language class this year and really loved it. She practices when she talks to her friends, making the shapes with her hands as she verbalizes her thoughts.

"I love learning new languages," she said. "I love connecting what I know with one language to another."

Wirkkala plans to travel eventually to see Europe for fun, and practice anesthesiology in third world countries where her skills will be needed.

Amethyst is the daughter of Walter Wirkkala and Mandy Bertch.