What may seem like a conglomerations of hobbies is simply the result of curiosity.

That’s how Decatur High School senior Alaina Butler describes her activities and interests.

On the one hand, she’s a track co-captain and senior class vice-president.

On another, she’s a volunteer for My Sister’s Pantry (a food bank), and helps with the Special Olympics and Relay for Life.

She got into pageants after seeing a friend who was involved when she was 8. She is a former Miss Washington Pageant contestant.

“I’ve always had that princess mentality,” she said.

She hasn’t competed since 2007. She still loves it, but is saving the money for college instead.

One day, she plans on being a pediatrician.

Track is by far her favorite activity, Butler said. Some of her favorite memories including very long trips to track meets across the state.

“It’s definitely a bonding experience I’ll never forget,” Butler said.

Butler plans on attending Stanford University in the fall. She first started thinking about the school after receiving mailings from Stanford following her PSAT test. When she saw the campus in person, she was sold.

“It was everything I expected,” she said of her visit. “The weather is a bonus. It was drizzle and miserable here and sunny and 70 there.”

Butler will fit in well at Stanford. She managed to keep a perfect 4.0 all through school, despite taking six AP classes.

“I had a 4.0 since sixth grade,” Butler said. “It wasn’t a goal, it just happened. Toward senior year I thought, I made it this far, I may as well finish.”

Next up for Butler is finding a summer job before she heads off to sun and scholarly studies.

Class of 2010: A closer look

It’s time for high school graduations. The Mirror will take a closer look at high school seniors from each of the Federal Way high schools. These students have made their presence known already, doing multiple community service projects, challenging themselves in school and setting big goals for the future. Congratulations to all the graduating seniors.