Whiz Kid: Eastside Catholic Graduate's art on Display at new Swedish Hospital

Each week, at least during the academic year, Sammamish Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams who wow us with their accomplishments.

For the week ending Friday, July 29, we congratulate Stephanie Matusiefsky as the most recent Whiz Kid. She's a recent graduate, photographer and soon-to-be university student. Of course: Congratulations.

Name, age: Stephanie Matusiefsky, 18.

School and Neighborhood: Stephanie graduated from this past June. She lives in Sammamish. 

Accomplishments: Stephanie was one of three Eastside Catholic students whose artwork was recently selected to be permanently installed in the new Issaquah Highlands . The other two students were Allison DeJong of Woodinville and Shannon Heric of Bellevue.

Stephanie’s piece is a photograph she took on a recent hiking trip on the Olympic Peninsula.

“I thought it was a cool shot,” she said.

Stephanie later heard from a teacher that Swedish was looking for student art to feature at the new hospital. Stephanie submitted her photo to Swedish and was one of 32 students selected.

“I think it’s a great idea for a hospital,” Stephanie said.

She likes the idea of having art in the Emergency Room that helps the facility feel less like a hospital.

Swedish took the digital file that Stephanie submitted, enlarged it, and added a bit of color. Stephanie was excited to see the final product when it was unveiled at the hospital on Thursday, July 28. 

Having her artwork displayed in a hospital is also noteworthy in another sense - she is a soon-to-be nursing student. “I could work there,” Stephanie said, laughing as she thought of one day working in a place where one of her art hangs.

Key to awesomeness: Stephanie enjoys photography as a hobby and takes pictures whenever she can.

“I take pictures kind of wherever I go,” Stephanie said.

Stephanie will soon be going to the University of Portland, where she will study nursing. Stephanie has visited the campus twice and is excited for the future. 

“It feels like it will be a really good community to be in,” Stephanie said.

Thanks to excellent grades Stephanie has received a full scholarship from the University of Portland.

Stephanie had considered studying journalism or business but nursing won out thanks to her desire to help others. She has long enjoyed helping and has spent the last year working with Volunteer Chore Services. Stephanie feels that helping others is an expression of her faith and a way to serve the community.

“I think volunteering is a great way to do that,” she said.