Lower Columbia College Running Start

Our 2026 Running Start graduates have some big plans! ⭐ 💫
Congratulations to the class of 2026! We are so proud of you! 🎓 💙 ❤️

🎓 Senior Spotlight: Mara Slabu 🎓

Join us in celebrating Mara Slabu, an outstanding Running Start student whose dedication, leadership, and academic excellence have made a lasting impact both in and out of the classroom. This spring, Mara will graduate from Mark Morris High School with her high school diploma and from Lower Columbia College with her Associate of Biology (DTA/MRP) degree.

Mara will continue her educational journey at the University of Washington, where she plans to study Biology.🧬 🧫 👩‍🔬

Throughout her time at LCC and Mark Morris, Mara has earned an impressive list of honors and scholarships, including the Jane Kirkpatrick Galliher Memorial Scholarship, Ken Makinen Education Award Scholarship, and recognition for outstanding academic achievement through the President’s List, Honor Roll, and Hall of Honors Award. She has also excelled in speech and debate, earning gold and bronze medals at state and national competitions, as well as a season-long debate sweepstakes ranking.

A passionate leader and engaged student, Mara currently serves as Executive Director of the LCC Student Government (ASLCC) and is a member of the LCC Fighting Smelt Forensics Team, where she serves as Team Captain. Her involvement also includes DECA, FBLA, student government leadership, and volunteer work with the Cowlitz County Humane Society.🐟

When she’s not leading organizations or pursuing academic excellence, Mara enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, reading, and catching up on a well-earned nap.

Mara would like to thank her parents and sister for their unwavering support throughout her journey, along with her speech and debate teammates and coaches for their encouragement, guidance, and friendship.

Congratulations, Mara! Your commitment to leadership, service, and academic achievement is truly inspiring. We can't wait to see all you accomplish at the University of Washington and beyond! 🌟🎓💜 💛

Lower Columbia College Lower Columbia College Running Start Lower Columbia College Student Activities Longview School District University of Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Washington Student Achievement Council

For many students, balancing the demands of high school is enough of a challenge. For Mara Slabu, it was just the baseline. This spring, Mara is celebrating a monumental double milestone: graduating from Mark Morris High School while simultaneously earning her Biology DTA/MRP degree from Lower Columbia College (LCC) through the Running Start program.

Read the full story and bio of this year's LCC Class of 2026 Commencement Student Speaker at https://lowercolumbia.edu/student-success-stories/mara-slabu/year's