2025 Students of Distinction

Sarena Thoms: Leading with compassion and commitment

Gig Harbor Now is posting profiles featuring the Students of Distinction being honored by the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. Peers, teachers or parents nominate students, who must be a graduating senior at a Peninsula School District school. A panel of community leaders selects students to be honored in one of seven categories: academics; athletics; career and technical excellence; community service; music, arts and drama; overcoming adversity; and science and technology.

These students will be celebrated during a banquet from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Ocean5, 5268 Point Fosdick Dr.

School: Gig Harbor High School

Category: Community service

Sarena Thoms has made community service the cornerstone of her high school experience – not just as a volunteer, but as a passionate leader with vision and heart. With over 350 hours of service logged, she’s not simply checking boxes; she’s building a legacy of impact that stretches from food banks to immigrant advocacy.

As co-vice president of both the Interact Club and National Honor Society at Gig Harbor High School, Sarena has helped lead some of the school’s most visible and meaningful service efforts. She’s organized donation drives, mobilized volunteers for events, and forged community partnerships that benefit causes she deeply believes in. One such project, coordinating Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s to benefit Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest, raised more than $2,000 and brought together 30 student volunteers. “Supporting immigrants in detention is a cause that is deeply meaningful to me,” she says. “Being part of the planning and execution taught me the power of collaboration and leadership.”

Sarena Thoms

Sarena’s commitment to the community extends beyond her titles. She’s a familiar face at the Peninsula Fish Food Bank, a four-year varsity letter recipient in community service, and a multi-year volunteer for the Gig Harbor Lady Tides Kids Soccer Camp and Firework Stand. Whether she’s stocking shelves, ringing up customers, or waving signs on the street to bring in donations, she shows up with humility, energy, and a desire to make things better.

That same work ethic defines her academic and extracurricular life. Sarena currently holds a 4.0 GPA and is top of her class. She’s an AP Scholar with Distinction, has completed eight AP courses with top scores, and has earned varsity letters in both tennis and soccer – contributing to back-to-back WIAA State tournament teams. Outside of school, she’s also the Head Cake Decorator at Ben & Jerry’s, where she leads specialty and size sales and manages customer orders.

Despite her packed schedule, Sarena finds time to mentor peers, lead officer meetings, and organize fundraising events through her school clubs. “Giving back has made me more empathetic, resilient, and selfless,” she reflects. “You don’t have to solve everything to make a difference. You just have to show up with an open heart.”

Looking ahead, Sarena plans to study business administration with minors in finance and entrepreneurship, ultimately earning her real estate license and opening her own brokerage. No matter where her path leads, she plans to continue giving back – building community wherever she goes, and encouraging others to do the same.