2026 Students of Distinction

Paige Driscoll: Working toward a more sustainable future

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. Wednesday, May 20, at Ocean5, 5268 Pt. Fosdick Dr.

School: Peninsula High School

Category: Academics

For Paige Driscoll, learning has always been closely tied to curiosity, growth, and care for the world around her. Throughout her time at Peninsula High School, she combined strong academics with environmental advocacy, athletics, and service — all grounded in a desire to create a more thoughtful and sustainable future.

One of the most important lessons Paige learned during high school came through balancing rigorous coursework with personal well-being. While managing demanding classes in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, she began to rethink what success truly meant.

Paige Driscoll

“There were times when I felt overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything,” Paige says. “But I learned how to ask for help, manage my time better, and accept that I don’t have to be perfect to succeed.”

That mindset shaped her approach both inside and outside the classroom. Paige became heavily involved in Peninsula’s Environmental Club, serving as social media manager while helping organize campus and beach cleanups, maintain the school’s native plant garden, and support projects like the school compost system. Through those efforts, she hopes to encourage others to think more intentionally about their impact on the environment.

“I want to help create a more environmentally conscious future,” she says.

In addition to academics and environmental work, Paige competed in cross country and track throughout high school, eventually serving as cross country team captain. She also dedicated more than 500 hours to community service, including work with young children at Harbor Montessori School and participation in a service trip to Costa Rica focused on environmental conservation and sea turtle protection.

The experience reinforced her passion for conservation and her desire to help future generations. “Even small actions,” she says, “like helping someone understand something new or making someone feel heard, are the kinds of impacts I value.”

After graduation, Paige plans to attend college and continue pursuing her interests in chemistry, mathematics, and environmental conservation — carrying forward the same curiosity and compassion that have defined her high school journey.