SIXTH GRADE: SAIRA DELGADO

Published online on Sunday, May. 13, 2007

Sitting still doesn't sit well with sixth-grader Saira Delgado -- she's an upbeat, petite dynamo who thrives on challenges.

Here's just a taste of her interests and accomplishments: She has a 4.0 grade-point average at Sanger Academy Charter School and serves as a peer mediator. She focuses her energy into all kinds of academic contests, from science fairs to spelling bees. She plays the piano and clarinet and composes music. She's earned a green belt in karate.

"I like being kind of preoccupied and busy," said Saira (pronounced Sigh-ra). "I just can't stand sitting around and doing nothing, so it feels good to be active. And I feel this is going to help me in life."

Saira, 12, has certainly impressed Sanger Academy teachers. Bob Mullins said Saira is "very self-motivated." Another teacher, Carrie Given, said: "She will just do her best at whatever she's taken on."

Saira, who's thinking about being a computer animation designer, said she's proud of her participation at the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., last year and her upcoming involvement at the People to People Student Ambassador Program this summer at Stanford University. She's also proud of her selection as a sixth-grader into the Fresno-Madera Counties Music Educators Association Honor Band.

"I like being experienced in all sorts of areas," Saira said. "Sometimes, I feel 24 hours in a day isn't enough."

-- Felicia Cousart Matlosz