For the Reporter

The Rotary Club of Mercer Island has selected Grace Wilson and Peter Empey as the Mercer Island High School (MIHS) students of the month for April. The club honors seniors each month during the school year.

The students were nominated by teachers in the school’s social studies department.

Wilson has traveled internationally to do volunteer work, both to support others and also to help the environment. She is very passionate about sustaining the planet, and has done local work to support green initiatives. Wilson is also a tireless supporter of all marginalized populations, especially her peers with physical and learning differences. She raised money during the pandemic through several events to support marginalized groups of people most affected by COVID-19.

Last school year, Wilson — who also swims and plays water polo for MIHS — created a popular social media account that promoted healthy lifestyles, and dedicated herself to spreading positivity with her peers.

Empey’s support for MIHS started in eighth grade when he became one of the high school boys basketball managers, a position he has held for the last five years. Because of his skills and dedication to helping the coaches run the team, he has trained other managers for the last couple of years.

He has done much volunteer work in the community, including projects that support the environment. He also has volunteered to tutor younger students in an urban community to provide an equitable way of helping close the achievement gap.

Empey is a section leader for the drumline in the MIHS band and was a major fundraiser to help bring their partner band from Puerto Rico to the Rose Parade in 2019.