Mara Slabu
LCC Class of 2026: Biology DTA/MRP
Class of 2026 Student Speaker
For many students, balancing the demands of high school is enough of a challenge. For Mara Slabu, it was just the baseline. This spring, Mara is celebrating a monumental double milestone: graduating from Mark Morris High School while simultaneously earning her Biology DTA/MRP degree from Lower Columbia College (LCC) through the Running Start program.
To make the accomplishment even more stunning, she did it all while maintaining a flawless 4.0 GPA.
Mara’s time at LCC has been defined by leadership, both in student government and competitive forensics. She served with distinction as the Executive Director of the Associated Students of Lower Columbia College (ASLCC), acting as a powerful voice for her peers and helping to shape campus life, including serving on the task force to rebrand the LCC mascot, Flare.
When she wasn't leading student government meetings, she was commanding the podium as the fierce team captain of LCC's acclaimed Fighting Smelt speech and debate team. This past year, Mara took her talents to the national stage, putting together an extraordinary run of tournament victories that included:
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Two Bronze Medals in IPDA (International Public Debate Association) debate.
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A Gold Medal in Extemporaneous speaking.
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10th Best IPDA Debater in the nation-wide, season-long sweepstakes.
Mara’s relentless work ethic and passion for science are paving the way for a bright future. This fall, she will be heading to the University of Washington in Seattle to major in Biology. Her ultimate goal? Translating her dedication to helping others into a career in medicine.
Whether she is breaking down complex policies in student government, winning national debate titles, or mastering advanced science courses, Mara exemplifies the very best of the LCC community.