2012 Class Act: Cady McCullar Is Making a Career Out of Compassion

Editor's note: This is the first in a three-day series profiling members of the Class of 2012 from Clover Park schools.

Cady McCullar intends to make a career out of compassion.

The freshly minted Harrison Preparatory School graduate said that her time at the school helped spark a desire to become a nurse – and to help people in general.

“I really feel like I can connect with people,” she said. “If someone is hurting – even if I see a sad story watching the news – I want to help. I’m like, ‘How can that happen?’

“I wish I could make it all OK for everyone.”

After graduating on Friday night, that perspective will next lead McCullar to Pacific Lutheran University, where she will study nursing – and put to use the skills she has acquired as a member of Harrison Prep’s student government.

“Being on ASB has made me realize how much you can change a life, even just by saying, ‘How are you today?’ or ‘I like your shirt,’ ” she said, adding that she has accompanied her grandmother to doctors’ appointments and admires the rapport nurses have with patients. “They’re friends with them, and someone to talk to, so I’ll be able to help them, even if just for a little while.”

McCullar, who intends to become the first college graduate in her family, said she has considered following in her father’s footsteps by joining the Army, but knows that via whatever means, she plans to work with children.

“It would be hard, but I love kids,” she said. “They have such a nice outlook on life, and they’re adorable.”

McCullar said that graduating from high school is a bittersweet occasion.

“It’s so exciting,” she said. “I’ve been preparing to graduate for a really long time … But at the same time, I’ve been at Harrison Prep since sixth grade, so it’s all I know. It’s hard to leave.”

It was her mother’s idea for McCullar to attend Harrison Prep after she finished fifth grade at Southgate Elementary School.

“She liked the small-school aspect of it,” she said. “And she wanted me to get ready for college. Since she didn’t go to college, she wanted me to have the opportunity she didn’t get.”

And opportunities she has had.

The Honor Graduate served as ASB treasurer for two years, and ASB secretary and director of photography for the yearbook as a senior. She was a Lakewood Rotary Student of the Month and took several Advanced Placement classes, as well as her personal favorites, economics and chemistry. Outside of school, she made time for playing volleyball, dancing and being outdoors.

“I always say to people that I wouldn’t be who I am today if I didn’t go to Harrison Prep,” she said. “I learned how to make a difference, how to be a leader – which is where my passion for helping people came from – and I have really cherished the relationships I have had with people.”

McCullar said she chose PLU because it has a small-school feel, similar to Harrison Prep. She also applied to the University of Washington and Washington State, but worried she would get lost in a big college. She is the recipient of a College Bound Scholarship and PLU Faculty Scholarship.

“PLU has small classes, so I’ll be able to get to know the professors and people in my classes and ask for help,” she said.

An added bonus is being close to her family. The family moved to Lakewood from Louisiana when McCullar was one.

“I can’t imagine going far from them,” she said, “so I’ll be down the street.”

But that doesn’t mean she will be spending all of her time at home, though.

“I’m starting a new chapter in my life,” she said. “I’ve been working so hard, and am ready to get out there and experience new things.”