Natasha Karjala

A Bit About Me:

The presence of service has always been existent in my day-to-day life for as long as I can remember. My father, Dennis, served on the Board of Directors for our Rotary Club here in Gig Harbor, Washington. The service in which my father and the Rotary provided to not just our greater community, but the world, inspired me in multifarious ways.

My promotion from Junior High School to Bellarmine Preparatory School has been an experience that has really opened my eyes to the power of service.

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At Bellarmine, I am heavily involved with student life and work towards building a more inclusive and accepting community. I work with the Associated Student Body, running our class information page on social media and presiding over our Social Media Board, which puts out information on all Bellarmine-related events. I also was given the opportunity to preside over our Relay for Life club, which promotes awareness and provides hope to cancer survivors, fighters, and loved ones lost. I take pride in embracing myself in all things surrounding mental health and the genuine care for others. This year, I am working with the University of Washington in their Suicide Prevention Program and am speaking to hundreds of students about the importance of mental health. I also serve as a representative for both mental health and sustainability, working to create a more sustainable environment both in and out of school.

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I embrace my culture heavily and am ever so proud to be a Filipina-American. Participating in my school’s Asian Pacific Islander Culture Association provides me the opportunities to be surrounded by a diverse and supportive body. Other clubs you'll find me in are the Bellarmine Service Club, Feminists at Bellarmine, and this year, I was initiated into the Bellarmine Preparatory Chapter of the National Honor Society.

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My goal when participating in acts of service is to help as many people as I can. This year, I am working on the Justice Summit Board on our issue of “Humanizing Homelessness.” I am collaborating with state representatives, finding solutions, and leading meetings on the worsening homelessness problem in Washington state.

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My efforts in EEiP and SIP are founded on years and years of service that assure me I am ready to take on this challenge.

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Now as a student at Cornell, I continue to embrace these values. I am actively involved in the Filipino Cultural Association, where I celebrate and share my heritage, and I serve as the Vice President of the Society of Women in Business. In this role, I am focused on ensuring all women have access to STEM opportunities and are empowered to excel in their chosen fields.