Between the walls of Port Townsend High School, you find stampedes of teenagers of all varieties. Walking in different directions, linked by arms and talking so fruitfully that the separate conversations are made into a hum. One girl, however, does not blend into the crowd so easily. Tadu Dollarhide takes her stand in the high school on top of uncountable accomplishments. 

Even though Tadu has spent most of her life living in Port Townsend, she was born in Ethiopia. “I was born in Ethiopia but grew up here [Port Townsend]...My childhood was pretty amazing,” Tadu spoke proudly. Upon her arrival in Port Townsend, Tadu noticed a difference between her and her peers. “Since I was born elsewhere, I came with more of a mature mindset than the people around me. For instance, I never could get into playing with dolls or other things my peers played with.” However, despite the lack of doll play, Tadu quickly flourished in making confidants. “I have made lifelong friends like Virgina and Yuli and we have had some memorable times.”

Throughout her school career, Tadu has collected accomplishments like playing cards. “Most of my life I have been here. I went to school from K-12 in Port Townsend. I did a lot of sports in middle school and high school, I did mostly cross country. I love running a lot and reading when I have time. I have gotten into theater for a couple of years as well, and biking with my dogs in the mountains. I also joined the Key Club and Students for Sustainability.” However, this was not the beginning of Tadus’ experience with volunteering. “I traveled a lot between here and Ethiopia with my mom over the past few years with volunteer groups,” Tadu remarked. 

In addition to extracurriculars, Tadu took rigorous classes in order to attend Howard University where she plans to study Health Science, African Studies, and minor in Amharic, which is an Ethiopian language. Health Science will give Tadu her prerequisites toward EchoCardiology. She will also have to attend a two-year program to learn about Echo in order to become an Echo Tech. Echo Techs work with the heart and do heart scans. 

“I’ve always wanted to work in health care because my mom does, so I think I’ve had that mindset for a long time. The heart is a really interesting organ and it’s amazing so I want to learn more about that.” Howard University is in Washington D.C. and Tadu says she plans to work for several years away from home and then eventually move back to Port Townsend when she is much older. 

“The community here has helped me a lot and I have thrived in this community. My neighbor taught many years ago and she has always been there to support me when I had school questions and otherwise. I would say that the community here in Port Townsend is very open to helping students.” 

Despite connecting with numerous people here at Port Townsend, Tadu made an effort to single out two people to whom she dedicates her inspiration to. “My dad in Ethiopia and my mom here have been the biggest heroes in my life and I couldn’t be more grateful that God gave me the best people to support and cherish me.”