Maria Fechko

Henderson Bay High School senior a leader who wants to make the world a better place

Maria Fechko believes strongly in giving back. She has dedicated hundreds of hours to volunteer activities for various clubs and organizations, and she plans to continue that dedication after she graduates from high school.

“I feel like I’ve been blessed, and I want to give back to the community,” she said. “People have helped me, and I want to give back by helping others.”

She said Henderson Bay High School presented her with many opportunities to get involved. The late Theresa Malich, who was a teacher at Henderson Bay, got Fechko connected with the Rotary Club.

“I’ve been inspired to do volunteer work, and she really guided me to do it,” Fechko said.

Since then, Fechko has been involved with the Pierce County Humane Society, the Key Peninsula Community Services Food Bank, the school’s Associated Student Body and the Rotary Club.

When she learned Henderson Bay didn’t have enough students for the Rotary-sponsored Interact club, Fechko joined the one at Gig Harbor High School, where she also became an officer.

“She doesn’t simply think it’s nice for young people to help others when they can,” Henderson Bay teacher Peter Liljengren said. “It is something that is absolutely essential to do if one is going to make this world a better place and get something done. It’s in her DNA, and she feels that there is no better way to lead than by example.”

As part of her volunteer activities, Fechko organized a food drive at school for the Rotary’s Basket Brigade and helped raise funds for the Denny Wilford Foundation, which works to eliminate polio.

“At school, she is the first one to volunteer to help organize an event if she feels it will improve the life at school,” Liljengren said. “Maria is a very special person. She wants to help not because it looks good, but because it is the most important thing that you can do.”

Fechko hopes to become a family attorney, a profession she feels will allow her to help people.

“I want to be a voice for children and families,” she said.

She said she’s been fascinated by law for some time, and she recently had an opportunity to watch court cases as part of her career exploration.

Fechko is a hard-working student who has strived to achieve her best academically. She said having the support of her teachers, as well as being determined to become a lawyer, have helped her achieve her goals. She credits Henderson Bay teachers Gayle Beard and Liljengren with her academic success.

“They’ve been really supportive of my goals and are very inspiring,” she said.

Maria Fechko

Education: Senior, Henderson Bay High School

Parents: Dana and Ron Pretti

Activities/achievements: Volunteer for Basket Brigade (Rotary); Pierce County Humane Society; Key Peninsula Community Services Food Bank; World Vision; Gig Harbor High Interact Club; Rotary Youth Leadership Award; Reducing Adolescent Prejudice Conference; summer leadership camps; ASB president, secretary; Student of the Month; Future Problem Solvers state finalist; Leadership class.

Favorite teacher: Gayle Beard, “because she has unconditionally supported me in my goals,” Fechko said. “She has been more than a teacher to me, and I appreciate everything she has done for me.”

Best thing about high school: “The teachers and staff, because they work hard to help students achieve their goals and truly have the students’ best interest at heart.”