Star Dream Girl: Mariel Hartman

At a glance, she is a young American lady brimming with confidence and possessing. But when she starts talking, she is a Filipina in study. That’s 17-year-old Mariel Hartman, a picture of an East-meets-West beauty.

"I would like to describe myself as someone motivated, hardworking, understanding," Mariel, a senior at Eastlake High School, says of herself, "I’m also considerate of others."

In a couple of months, Mariel, the daughter of American Mark Hartman and the former Ayleene Guytingco, a Filipina, will enter college. She is very much excited about this new phase in her life. Since Mariel is fascinated by the diversity of underwater life, she plans to study Marine Biology.

"I have been accepted to the University of Washington and Iowa State University. However, my plans are not yet set on where to study (this year) because I have not yet heard back about my application to Seattle University or the University of San Diego."

Although she grew up in Midwestern United Sates and now lives in Seattle, Mariel finds time to visit relatives in the Philippines at least four or five times a year. This is when Mariel experiences and sees the beauty of Filipino lifestyle

"I always love traveling to the islands, and staying with my lolo and lola or cousins in Manila. I find Tagaytay and Baguio relaxing and also the many resorts and beaches in Puerto Azul and Boracay."

Showing how she respects her Asian lineage, Mariel has been working on a cultural project, a requirement to graduate from Eastlake, about her Filipino background.

"So far, I have researched the history of the Philippines," says Mariel, "I have studied why many Filipinos immigrated to the Seattle area."

Mariel, who likes garlic fried rice and attends conversational Tagalog class at the University of Washington, has a wide range of interests.

"I have been swimming since fourth grade," says Mariel. "Last year, I was chosen the co-captain of the Eastlake Girls Swim Team by my peers. I have also been playing the piano for 11 years. I’m a volunteer with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Organization. Here, I plant trees with other members and clear damaged areas around my community. I will soon help at the MEOW Cat Rescue Organization, taking care of abandoned cats and kittens." When done doing all this, Mariel goes to the gym three to four times a week to relax and re-energize for the next day’s tasks.

To Mariel, who values "love, integrity and peace," ends, "A STAR Dream Girl is someone who can be trusted, is supportive and always cherishes happiness in life." –Jerry Donato