Meet the 2009 All-Stars

Published online on Sunday, May. 17, 2009

The title can be somewhat deceiving, because these Academic All-Stars don’t just excel in the classroom — they are well-rounded, good and caring individuals. They shine bright all around.

They are among 1,340 students from across the central San Joaquin Valley who were nominated for The Bee’s Academic All-Stars competition, now in its 14th year.

“It’s a joy for us to be able to tell these stories every year,” says Betsy Lumbye, The Bee’s executive editor. “It’s a reminder that even in tough times, there’s never a shortage here of really great kids.”

Some have overcome adversity, like first-grader Toryn Triplitt, who doesn’t let hearing loss stand in her way, whether it be school work or learning to ride horses.

Others show compassion isn’t limited by age. Fourth-grader Beth Buchanan collects suitcases for foster children on the move. Chloe Rose Doyle, an eighth-grader, teaches children with disabilities to ride horses. And Payton Polanco, in second grade, donates her birthday money to charitable causes and has taught classmates the importance of giving.

Innovative fifth-grader Sara Maldonado started a mother-daughter reading club at school that provides girls and their moms special time together.

And several find inspiration in strong family roots and working with younger children. Dallas Gonzales, a seventh-grader, helps his grandma every day after school and coaches younger children in baseball. “He is a leader inside the classroom and out,” writes his teacher. Reedley student David Tomajan, a senior inspired by his special-needs brother, volunteers with Special Olympics.

These students are experts in managing it all. Katelyn Krezman, a sixth-grader, finds time for cheerleading, 4-H and making blankets for the homeless. And Zoe Kisling, an 11th-grader with a 4.0 grade-point average, balances sports and a rigorous academic schedule, yet still finds time to donate back to the community.

They do it all, it seems, flawlessly. So, let’s take the time to acknowledge these good young people who could teach us all a little something.