Academic All-Stars 2007

This year's achievers specialize in time management, fitting school, volunteer work and multiple activities into every day.

Published online on Sunday, May. 13, 2007

Tim Anderson, this year's seventh-grade Academic All-Star, uses two words to describe how he earns straight A's, juggles scads of activities and serves his community.

Multitasking and scheduling.

He could have been speaking for the 11 other Valley students picked to be Academic All-Stars in the annual competition sponsored by The Fresno Bee. From first-grader Abigail Santos of Selma to 12th-grader Peter Jacob Mersino of Fresno, these All-Stars are a busy bunch.

The second-through-sixth-grade All-Stars are Hope Wearing, Isabella Lomeli, Stefanie Rodriguez, all of Fresno, Troy Corcoran of Clovis and Saira Delgado of Sanger.

Juan Rangel of Kerman, Christy Yin and Ashley Ingram, both of Fresno, and Harsonam Kahlon of Fowler are the eighth-to-11th-grade All-Stars.

Managing time is key for 11th-grade All-Star Harsonam, who makes lists of what's important to do.

She even schedules her downtime. "I make some time to waste time," Harsonam said, chuckling.

Third-grade All-Star Isabella doesn't talk about multitasking. In her 8-year-old world, she is simply busy, and that is a good thing. "I get to learn more stuff," she said, "and I'm a fast learner doing it."

All-Star judge Need Yang, a teacher at Fresno Unified's Mayfair Elementary School, said she's astounded by the résumés of All-Star nominees. "These kids are getting a feel for what life is really like, and all the choices they have out there," Yang said.

Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Larry Powell, another judge, said the multitasking of his generation -- he graduated from high school in 1966 -- was going to class and then trudging off to one after-school activity. Today's All-Star nominees pursue their interests and still find time to volunteer for many causes, Powell said.

They're altruistic, but also realistic. Activities impress colleges, Powell said.

Teachers, family members and friends nominated about 1,900 students this year, and then Valley educators and Bee staff picked the winners.

Said Betsy Lumbye, The Bee's executive editor: "It's such a joy to read about these promising young people, and we're delighted to share their stories with our readers. We've been doing this for 12 years now, and it's still as inspiring as it was the first time."