Federal Way Public Schools Alumni of Note
Leslie Mills
Registered Nurse, BS
Decatur High School
Graduate, Class of 2002
For Leslie Mills, participating in extracurricular activities enhanced her Federal Way Public School experience and helped her to become the success she is today.
Mills, whose maiden name is Snead, graduated from Decatur High School in 2002. She also attended Lakota Middle School and Twin Lakes Elementary School. Today she is a registered nurse working with surgical patients at St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Seattle University in 2006. She hopes to one day go back to school to become a nurse practitioner. "Whatever I do, I want to continue bedside care because that's what I love most," she said.
"Some significant accomplishments in my life are that I was nominated in my first year as a nurse for the March of Dimes award in the rising star category and also I am married, bought a house, and am traveling the way I hoped to do," Mills said.
As a high school student, Mills participated in cross country, gymnastics and cheerleading. She was also a member of the band and took leadership classes. "I feel Federal Way schools prepared me well but I also worked very hard," she said. "I'd say the thing I did that was the best for me were honor and AP classes."
Among Mills's most influential teachers were Arlene Murphy at Twin Lakes and Sian Fankhauser at Decatur. "They were both great supports and really encouraged me," she said. She also recalls Mr. Millett at Decatur as being a very strict and effective principal.
To policy makers, Mills suggests raising the standards and also requiring all students to wear uniforms. "I believe that too many judgments are passed from student to student based on the clothing that they wear," she said.
To current students, Mills offers the following advice: "Always try your best so at least you can say you did that. No one can argue with you if you've done your best. And if you truly have tried your best, then it usually turns out pretty good. Give 100% to all that you do."