2026 Students of Distinction

Maddie Armstrong: Finding fulfillment through service

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: Gig Harbor High School

Category: Community service

For Maddie Armstrong, community service has always started with passion. Since sixth grade, the Gig Harbor High School senior has dedicated herself to supporting causes she cares deeply about, combining creativity, leadership, and service to make a lasting impact within her community.

One of Maddie’s proudest accomplishments is “Books for Barks,” a gently used book sale fundraiser she has organized annually since middle school in support of CHEW Dog Rescue. Over the years, the event has raised more than $14,000 while also helping bring awareness to foster-based animal rescue programs.

Maddie Armstrong

“Supporting their cause in a way that brings the community together is one of my biggest joys,” Maddie says.

Organizing the fundraiser required collecting book donations, partnering with local businesses, and coordinating multi-day sale events — responsibilities Maddie took on largely herself year after year. The experience helped strengthen both her organizational skills and her passion for service-centered leadership.

That same commitment carried into her extensive involvement with Interact Club and National Honor Society. Through those organizations, Maddie participated in countless community service projects, including Basket Brigade, tutoring programs, fundraising events, and local outreach efforts. As Interact Events Coordinator and NHS Co-Vice President, she also helped organize volunteer opportunities and lead service initiatives for fellow students.

“Community service is such a fulfilling experience,” she says. “You just have to show up with an open mind and a willingness to help.”

Outside of service, Maddie has spent over a decade involved in dance through Harbor Dance and Performance Center, eventually becoming both a substitute teacher and dance instructor. Her experiences teaching younger dancers further reinforced her love for mentorship and leadership.

This fall, Maddie plans to attend San Diego State University to study psychology. She hopes to continue traveling, studying abroad, and staying actively involved in volunteer work throughout her life.

For Maddie, success is not simply about measurable accomplishments — it is about the internal fulfillment that comes from knowing she has made a positive impact on the people and causes she cares about most.