Federal Way Public Schools Alumni of Note
Ambreen Ali
Staff Writer, CQ Roll Call
Federal Way High School
Graduate, Class of 2001
Ambreen Ali, now a successful journalist covering legislative issues in Washington D.C., still remembers one of her first journalism assignments as a student at Federal Way High School.
“My most memorable assignment was writing a feature story about the differences between our high school and Garfield, which is an inner city school in Seattle,” Ali said. “I spent the day at Garfield interviewing teachers and students, and I wrote what was probably a naive story about the racial and economic differences in our experiences. Still, it was a bold assignment and I credit Mr. Swanson for encouraging me to pursue it. Years later, I feel like it helped me develop a curiosity about other people's experiences.”
That assignment was one of many that inspired Ali, she said. “Mr. Keith Swanson, my English teacher, and Mr. Andy Cameron, my history teacher, were really instrumental in inspiring me. They helped me think about the world beyond Federal Way and even the U.S., as well as the ways in which I could contribute to it.”
Ali graduated from Federal Way High School in 2001. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Finance, with honors from the University of Washington and a Masters of Science in New Media Journalism from Northwestern University.
AP classes at Federal Way helped fuel her success, Ali said. “The courses I took in high school were rigorous enough to help me cultivate the right study skills for college. I also credit Carla Boone, our career counselor, for helping me get a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Washington.”
Ali looks fondly back on her time in high school. “I enjoyed my experience and am even more impressed, now that my little brother is at Federal Way High School, by the many opportunities there are for children to learn at their level and take part in special programs designed to give them an edge after high school,” she said.
For current students, Ali offers the following advice: “First off, just take school seriously. You only have a few years in high school, and you can really define what your college and subsequent opportunities will be in that brief time. But also figure out what your hobbies and interests are, and be sure to pursue them. Try to learn from your teachers. They love students who actually want to learn, and your respect will be rewarded with reference letters and assistance that will be crucial for getting into a good college.”