Class of 2011: A Passion Discovered Through Loss

Laurisa Coffee is a vibrant, soon-to-be graduate from Shorecrest High school, who has her sights set on nursing. It is not only her love of science and people, but also the memory of her father who died in a car accident five years ago that fuels this goal.

“I have a feeling I’ll be dealing with a lot of families who may be experiencing loss or with people who are trying to deal with their own illness. To be able to relate to them because I have experienced a kind of pain like that, will be really important,” said Coffee.

The blonde, 17-year-old from Lake Forest Park, explained that she has always had a passion for the medical field, but originally wanted to be a doctor. Last year she began volunteering at the University Medical Center and realized it was the field of nursing that actually fit her best.

“Doctors would diagnose and there was a lot of pressure on them, but they didn’t spend a lot of time with the patient. And what I really want to do is interact with people.”

But the medical field wasn’t her only focus in high school. She was on the flag team for three years, spent her senior year on the Tattoo Literary Arts Magazine at her school, and devoted plenty of time volunteering.

For the past two years Coffee has been involved with Shorecrest’s Interact Club, a high school version of the Rotary Club. And spends her Sundays running a coffee bar through her church.

“It’s to raise money for the church’s youth groups and for missions,” said Coffee.

The stand recently helped to fund a retreat for its youth group and now has raised a couple hundred dollars for many of them to travel to Russia this summer. 

As for academics, it was calculus that she enjoyed the most this year. Even though, she admits, it was very challenging.

“I love how there’s always a right answer,” said Coffee.

Next year she will be attending Northwest University, in Kirkland, and will start in its nursing program. Coffee said she is excited to make new friends and live in the dorms, but is a little nervous.

“There are a lot of things that just appear. Like shampoo will just be in the bathroom. I’m not going to be used to having to go out and find it for myself,” said Coffee with a big smile.

Her plan after college is to get accepted into a travel nursing program, where she would be placed for a couple months somewhere in the United States in need of nurses.

“I think it’s really important that areas have enough medical staff,” said Coffee.

But for now she looks forward to starting college, the first step in her nursing career.

Coffee and rest of the Class of 2011, will participate in Shorecrest's graduation at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 12 at Comcast Arena in Everett.