2025 Students of Distinction
Carly Ikei: A future engineer driven by curiosity and creativity
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: Career and Technical Excellence
At the intersection of technology, innovation, and leadership stands Gig Harbor High School senior Carly Ikei. A standout student-athlete with a love for problem-solving and a drive to understand how things work, Carly is preparing to take her talents to Western Washington University, where she will play collegiate golf while studying Computer Engineering with a minor in Cybersecurity.
Carly’s journey through Gig Harbor’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs has been a launchpad for discovery. She credits courses like AP Computer Science A and Engineering Design with giving her a glimpse into the world of engineering and reaffirming her passion for technology. “There are so many career and technical courses to take that I can’t pick one to recommend,” she says. “The variety of classes makes it easy to discover your true passion.”
Carly Ikei
From Marketing to Graphic Design, her CTE experience wasn’t just about one pathway — it was about learning what she enjoyed and what energized her. She found joy in graphic design as a creative outlet and appreciated the practical skills of Marketing, even using those insights to understand the long-term benefits of financial literacy and compound interest. Her first-place finish in the Washington Technology Association’s Children’s Story Book Design competition is a testament to the impact of her design skills, as well as her adaptability and eye for detail.
Carly speaks highly of the hands-on learning that defined her CTE experience. Rather than relying solely on textbooks, she values the ability to learn by doing – a vital skill for her future in engineering. “Problem solving with patience” is the ability she’s most proud of developing. “In a field where there are a lot of factors that can go wrong,” she says, “patience and flexibility help you find solutions faster.”
Beyond the classroom, Carly’s leadership and service shine through her involvement in First Tee South Puget Sound. What began as an introduction to golf grew into a full-circle experience of growth, athletic achievement, and community impact. Now a member of the First Tee Teen Advisory Council, Carly blends leadership and service, helping organize fundraisers and supporting youth in the sport that changed her life.
She credits much of her academic confidence to teachers like Mr. Millard, whose encouraging math instruction gave her a strong foundation and created a classroom where students felt safe asking questions. That environment made a lasting difference – and it’s one Carly aims to recreate in her own career and mentorship of others.
With an insatiable curiosity and a deep appreciation for both structure and creativity, Carly is already making an impact – and she’s just getting started.