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11th Grade: Zoe Kisling

Published online on Sunday, May. 17, 2009

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Zoe Kisling has a 4.08 grade-point average and a long list of academic and athletic accomplishments and honors.

But her impressive credentials don’t stop there: The 17-year-old junior at Granite Hills High School in Porterville also is community-minded.

This school year she started Knots of Love, a project that makes blankets for children who are taken in by Child Protective Services. She also helped organize a prom for special needs students.

“I just like to give back to the community,” Zoe said. “It make me feel good to do things like that.”

Andrew Plyman, Zoe’s counselor, calls her an outstanding and well-rounded teenager.

“For a young person to get involved in making blankets for others going through tough times means she’s socially aware,” Plyman said.

In addition to her community service, Zoe is proud of her work as a reporter for the Grizzly Gazette, her school’s online newspaper, which ranks among the top high school newspapers in the nation.

She also plays volleyball, soccer and softball, earning a spot on Granite Hills’ varsity teams in the latter two sports as a freshman.

Being a soccer goalie and a softball catcher has helped develop her leadership skills, she said.

Zoe is interested in a medical career, possibly sports training or sports therapy.

“She’s a go-getter,” Plyman said. “She’ll do well in life.”



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