Shakira Washington is an 18-year-old senior at Central High School.

She runs the 100-meter hurdles and is a member of the 4 x 100-meter relay team. She's been on the track team all four years of high school.

She finished third in the hurdles in the SIAC meet and placed second in the sectional, which qualifies her for the regional.

Her mother is Shelia Washington. Her father, George, is deceased. Her fraternal twin sister is Shelise. She has an older sister, Erin, and an older brother, Eric.

Shakira plans to go to Philadelphia (Pa.) University and major in fashion design.

She maintains a 3.9 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale.

She and Shelise each received $2,000 in scholarships from the Northside Kiwanis Club.

What are the three words that best describe you?

Honest. Friendly. Artistic.

Take us through your school day.

My classes are advanced environmental science, desktop publishing, advanced literature, statistics, advanced 3-D art, photography and economics.

In AP literature, we shared poems we liked. I picked Alice Walker's "A Woman Is Not a Potted Plant."

In art, I finished a jewelry piece last week and I'm starting printmaking.

Did you consider playing other sports?

No. When I was young, I couldn't catch, hit or throw. I don't have the hand-eye coordination for basketball and soccer.

Boyfriend?

Nick Calhoun. He plays right field on the baseball team.

What's your choice of music?

Classic rhythm and blues. I like the Temptations, the Supremes and Earth, Wind and Fire.

Favorite films?

"Funny Girl" and the "Godfather" movies. I like the stories and the characters. When my grandmother comes over, we like to watch "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom."

Favorite books?

Agatha Christie murder mysteries.

Could you run four miles without stopping?

Maybe two. I'm a sprinter.

Do you and your twin have similar interests and personalities?

We're opposites. She is musically inclined and I'm definitely not. I'm artistic and more outgoing. Shelise is more reserved.

Do you get disappointed easily?

Sometimes, particularly if I expect to do well and don't. I put a lot of pressure on myself.