Hannah Thomas is Bothell High’s go-to person to inspire people with her story about excelling in school.

During her senior year, the associated student body (ASB) president spoke at the Northshore School Foundation’s Light a Fire for Learning luncheon and at Bothell’s school-improvement plan meeting in front of principals, the district superintendent and a state senator and representative.

Thomas, 18, has a 3.96 grade-point average and a thirst for leadership and medicine, which she’ll study at the University of Washington in the fall.

She plans to major in medical technology and become a physician.

“I think it’s great that I can put together two things that I really like, which is serving people and biology. Just being in that field seems like a perfect fit for me,” said Thomas, who will graduate from Bothell on June 13 at the Comcast Arena in Everett.

Last week, the Reporter visited with Thomas, who has been taking honors classes since seventh grade and has especially enjoyed her AP (advanced placement) chemistry and government courses this year.

What got a spark going for you (in ASB)?

In 10th grade, I took beginning leadership just as a filler class, I wasn’t really expecting much out of it. But then I was really touched by the adviser, Valerie Spagnolo — she saw that I would be good for it and she kept pushing me to run for election, which is something I would never dreamed of doing.

What’s the best part about being ASB president?

I really do like making these school events. It’s so much fun to be with them from the beginning and seeing everything get done.

(Thomas added about Bothell High’s two blood drives with the Puget Sound Blood Center this school year that had 380 participants):

Just being able to have that kind of effect on the community and being able to be one of the people involved in creating that — I don’t think there’s anything better. It’s a wonderful way to serve my school and my community.

Is the workload something that’s good and challenging for you?

Since seventh grade, I’ve been taking honors classes. Schoolwork gets tough, but at times it can be enjoyable. I really like the things that I’ve been able to learn this year. With AP classes and ASB, I’ve always been able to pull through and I can trust myself to do it.

Is there a nugget of knowledge that’s stuck with you that you’ll carry on with you?

With ASB, it’s definitely been service through leadership, that was a new idea for me when I was coming into high school.

Always being kind and being civil. I’ve learned the importance of not being judgmental and taking the time to understand others. It’s nice to be able to learn that in high school when you’re in a safer environment before going off into the world.

High school has given me a great opportunity to grow. I’m really happy with my high-school career.