Jonathan Reed’s journey as an aspiring U.S. diplomat began at Central Kitsap High School.

Reed, who will graduate from Washington State University Saturday with a Bachelor’s degree in political science, said it was Joanne Pendry’s Advanced Placement U.S. history class and Sarah Fisher’s Advanced Placement government class that fostered his interest in public policy and diplomacy.

The 22-year-old will be one of five Washington State University students recognized at his commencement ceremony Saturday for his academic and extracurricular achievements. Washington State singles out a handful of noteworthy students at its commencement ceremonies, also known as “highlight students.”

After spending four years studying global politics, Reed aims pursue a career in diplomacy and ultimately become the U.S. Secretary of State.

“The thing that I really love about diplomacy is you get to interact with different cultures at a very heightened level,” Reed said, describing his hopes to bring positive change into the world.

Reed got a taste of those international exchanges in 2008, when he spent a semester as an intern for the non-profit American Council of Young Political Leaders in Washington, D.C. There, he assisted in meetings with freshman members of parliaments and executive officers from governments from Australia to Afghanistan.

“It was a blessed experience,” Reed said.

Reed and his parents, Frank and Randi Reed, moved to Bremerton from Virginia in 2004 before Jonathan Reed’s junior year of high school — he graduated in 2006. With inspiration from Central Kitsap teacher Fisher and former teacher Pendry, he knew he wanted to pursue political science in college. But it was former Vice Principal Debbie Belew-Nyquist who encouraged Reed to attend Washington State University.

As Virginia natives, the Reed family knew almost nothing about the Pullman college until they visited there when Jonathan Reed was a senior in high school.

“I really fell in love with the place,” Reed said, adding that he loved the “family” atmosphere at Washington State.

Since he arrived at Washington State, Reed pursued his musical interests in addition to his political passion by participating in the school’s concert choir and gospel choir, God’s Harmony. He helped arrange a gospel version of the school’s fight song with God’s Harmony and also acted as a vocal percussionist with the jazz choir, VoJazz.

Frank Reed counts his son’s musical pursuits and his dedication to his faith among the things that make him most proud, he said.

In the past year, Jonathan Reed also completed his Honors College senior thesis about state-sponsored terrorism and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

“We’re very, very proud of him. We’re just brimming with joy,” Randi Reed said, reflecting on an academic career that included a spot on the Central Kitsap football team and a stint as prom king. “He’s accomplished so much and it is almost surreal.”

Jonathan Reed said he’s not sure what’s next for him — he will probably try to find a job for now, but eventually wants to attend graduate school to study public policy. He may also go abroad to pursue work in government analysis, he said.

“My options are wide open,” Reed said.

Whatever his next step is, his parents are proud of how much he has accomplished.

“My hope in the future for him is to achieve what he has always wanted to achieve in his heart and have a passion for whatever he does in life,” Randi Reed said. “He’s been a blessing.”