Meet Ellie Poon: A Student Leader Making Waves at Lincoln High and Beyond
At Lincoln High School, Ellie Poon is a standout student whose leadership, dedication, and passion for community service shines in everything she does. Whether on the tennis court, in the classroom, or within local organizations, Ellie exemplifies the values of hard work, empathy, and growth. Her energy and drive are genuinely uplifting to all who encounter her—just ask the players on her Saturday Red Ball tennis court!
A Rising Star on the Tennis Court
Ellie is currently a Coach in Training (CIT) with TSCP, where she works with 10 and under players, helping them develop their tennis skills and love for the game. Her journey in tennis leadership began in 2023 when she participated in the G.L.O.W. Program at the Amy Yee Tennis Center, designed for BIPOC 9th and 10th grade girls. Despite her initial shyness, Ellie quickly blossomed into a confident leader, even organizing and leading a youth tennis event.
Her talent and potential didn’t go unnoticed—Coach Christina (TCSP Coach), who mentored Ellie during the program, encouraged her to apply for the City of Seattle Parks’ Coach in Training Program, where she taught young children the fundamentals of tennis. Ellie’s ability to create lesson plans, engage with her students, and help them improve made her a natural fit for this role. In the fall of 2023, Ellie continued her coaching journey, working with middle school students in the Sports in Schools Tennis Aces program, where she excelled with a group of 12 beginners. She just kicked off coaching private and group tennis lessons this summer outside the tennis center, and she’s enjoying the fun challenge of keeping everything organized while embracing the responsibilities that come with it!
How She Got Into Tennis:
In December of her freshman year, she decided, “I’m going to make the tennis team.” With no prior experience, she practiced in the morning, using an old racket and hitting against a wall in Wallingford. After two months, she realized tennis wasn’t easy—but it was worth it.
She joined the G.L.O.W. program and quickly outplayed most others. Still, high school team practices showed her how much she had to learn. At tryouts, she faced off against more experienced players, but on the last day, the coach gave her a fist bump—in that moment she had a feeling she made the team. That freshman year, she won the “Most Improved” award on her high school team, a huge accomplishment at a school known for its competitive tennis program.
A Multi-Talented Student Leader
Ellie is involved in numerous extracurricular activities that highlight her leadership and passion for helping others. She is the Co-President of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society club, where she is working to raise funds for cancer research and patient support. Their annual fundraiser, held in February, aims to support research into cancer treatments and patient care, with last year’s event raising over $250,000. Ellie and her peers are competing in a local high school competition, challenging each other to reach even higher fundraising goals.
In addition to her work with LLS, Ellie is an active member of the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), a club designed for students interested in healthcare careers. As a member, Ellie is pursuing a pathway to become a doctor, participating in medical-related competitions and service opportunities. She’s also planning a MedLife service trip to Peru in the summer of 2025, where she will shadow doctors and bring healthcare to rural communities.
Ellie’s leadership skills extend to her role as Vice President of Women in STEM club, which organizes events like the Girls Club, a weekly STEM program for low-income middle school girls. This club offers hands-on STEM experiments and connects students with college admissions offices for guidance on pursuing STEM careers.
Passionate About Giving Back
Ellie’s commitment to service doesn’t stop there. Her leadership as a Head 11th Grade Leader in the Student Ambassador program at Lincoln High has also been instrumental in supporting students who transfer to the school. Completely student-led, Ellie and her team now lead tours, check-ins, and provide valuable support to new students, helping them transition smoothly into their school community.
In her role as a 2026 Class Representative, Ellie works to plan student activities, including the Winter Formal. She enjoys how connected she is to what happens at Lincoln high school through the role.
Eager to Learn and Grow
In addition to her leadership and extracurricular involvement, Ellie is a student in the ACE (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering) program, where she is working on real-world projects, including creating mock presentations for companies. She loves freehand drawing and is starting to explore digital art as well. As she believes that art is a powerful way to express emotions and thoughts when working on group projects with ACE.
Starting the New Program: Cross Connections
The new program Ellie has started is called Cross Connections. Her high school is right across the street from an assisted living center. It’s inspired by a similar initiative from the University of Washington and grew out of an AP Human Geography class project. Students were tasked with researching what other communities around the world are doing better, focusing on factors like quality of life and overall living conditions. Ellie’s goal is to connect young adults and residents in the senior living community. The area has a lack of diversity, and the goal of the program is to bridge that gap.
Though Cross Connections has yet to officially launch, it already has a small team in place. Students involved will be able to use the program for service hours.
Coach Christina’s Reflection
Coach Christina, who has had the privilege of mentoring Ellie, speaks highly of her growth and maturity. “Ellie is always seeking ways to grow and make a positive impact,” Christina shares. “I first met Ellie in 2023 when she applied for the G.L.O.W. program, and she has blossomed into an incredible leader. Whether it’s coaching young players, leading community initiatives, or excelling in academics, Ellie brings her best to everything she does.”
Ellie’s remarkable achievements in tennis, leadership, and community service are a testament to her drive, curiosity, and commitment to making the world a better place. As she continues to grow in these areas, there’s no doubt that Ellie will keep inspiring those around her and making a lasting impact on her school and community.
Stay tuned for more updates on Ellie’s journey—her future is undoubtedly bright!
A Creative Soul
Ellie has been enjoying the cello for 5 years! She had the incredible experience of playing first chair at Carnegie Hall with her school orchestra and even performed at a wedding in a quartet. Exploring the intricacies of music has been such a delightful adventure for her. In her free time, she loves sharing her passion by teaching cello to younger students!
Outside of her academic and extracurricular commitments, Ellie enjoys reading memoirs and spending time with her younger brother; catching up on whatever new series they have decided to binge watch. She is deeply involved in gardening, tending to a variety of indoor plants at home, including mango and avocado trees. Despite her love for plants, Ellie admits that she’s not fond of the cold outdoors!
If you’re ever in the presence of Ellie Poon, you’ll quickly understand why her peers and mentors alike describe her as a positive force—an uplifting presence, a dedicated leader, and a young woman with limitless potential.
