Written by Lyle Weems, Staff Writer
Michelle Feimer, a campus senior, has dedicated the last four years to both Poly and the community, leaving a resounding impact.
Michelle is a four year member of the girls water polo team, three of which she played as a varsity member. Focused on center and wing attacks, her playing was critical to team wins and morale. She even qualified for the Junior Olympics water polo competition her sophomore year. Beyond the water polo season, Michelle was a member of the swim team for the first three years of high school. Her main stroke was backstroke, though she was proficient in all four.
In school, Michelle was a four year member of the Amnesty International Club, being part of multiple movements to create positive change in the local high school community to grow understanding and empathy among peers. On a similar theme, she was a participant in the Women’s Equity Club to promote feminism and acceptance on campus. She was also an avid photography club member, winning various awards for her art and helping her peers grow; most significantly an award for her art through Hope and Justice. As an art focused individual, she also acted in Chalk Day, and “many other art clubs.”
Beyond Poly, Michelle works heavily in community service, gaining a 600 hour award for philanthropy over the past years through NCL. She has also been the recipient of bronze and silver awards for Girl Scouts dedication.
The main commitment of Michelle’s senior year has been her place on the ACSE (Advisory Commission on Special Education) for the State of CA board where she consults with the legislature of California to give input on the laws and money management of the Board of Education. Specifically, her section is the Special Education division, where she is the student commissioner, or liaison, for the advisory, but also covering general education issues. Her role includes meeting once a month, half of which she must travel to Sacramento for, to be on a panel and present her views as spokesperson for the students of our state, advocating “especially for students with IEPs and 504s.”
Beyond high school Michelle plans to follow her beliefs into the justice path, working with people to defend and protect her community. She plans to attend a four year university to become a forensic psychologist or criminologist. Her dream is to travel the world, hopefully Scotland or Budapest, Germany.