2008 Honorable Mention recipients

Published online on Friday, May. 16, 2008

FIRST GRADE

Avery Fong, 7, Clovis

School: Mickey Cox Elementary

Parents: Cameron and Jaimi Fong

Achievements: Avery Fong has a 4.0 grade-point average. Despite being in first grade, she performs academically at third- and fourth-grade levels, causing her teacher to seek out work from teachers in those grades for Avery. "I have never in all [my] 16 years of teaching been as challenged by a student's growth and needs," said her teacher, Megan Ratliff, who nominated Avery. She participates in the first-grade math club, helped raise money for her church and is involved with gymnastics, among many other activities and awards.

Haley Lopez, 7, Sanger

School: Sanger Academy Charter School

Parents: Cynthia and Robert Lopez

Achievements: Haley Lopez has won every academic and citizenship award offered by the school. She won the Academy Character and Excellence Award twice. Haley is a talented reader, writer, mathematician and class helper, according to her teacher, Sarah Horspool. She has a 4.0 grade-point average, plays soccer, participates in the school's Los Tennis Shoes walking club, sings, dances and helps out at church. "From the first day of school, she has voluntarily helped many student to understand concepts and procedures that have led to their academic success," Horspool said.

Christopher David Alatorre, 6, Selma

School: Garfield Elementary

Parents: Moses and Barbara Alatorre

Achievements: Christopher Alatorre is ranked top in his class with a 4.0 grade-point average. He received the top reader award during his kindergarten graduation, among other honors. He is a sort of "junior volunteer" at Selma Community Hospital, where his mom works. There he visits the elderly, colors pictures for their rooms, and dances and plays bingo with them. The certified nursing assistants who nominated him said in their nomination, "He is top-ranked in his class and can read at levels two to three years above [his grade level]." Christopher also is active in his church and plays T-ball.

SECOND GRADE

Julia Galvan, 8, Tulare

School: Mission Valley Elementary, Tulare

Parents: Nick and Stacy Galvan

Achievements: Julia Galvan gets outstanding marks in all subject areas and citizenship. She reads at the fourth-grade level and is in the second grade's highest math and reading groups. Julia "is just of those students who does everything she's supposed to do, and in a timely manner," says her teacher, Leah Sanchez. "My job is to challenge her." Julia takes dance lessons from Tulare Dance Works and is in the performing troupe at the Tulare County Office of Education Theater program. She has collected items for the Ronald McDonald House, emptied her piggy bank to give $40 to St. Jude's Hospital, sang at a convalescent home during Christmas and collected toys for Toys for Tots.

Noah Martinez, 7, Clovis

School: St. Helen's School, Fresno

Parents: Adolph and Racquel Martinez

Achievements: Noah Martinez has a 4.0 grade-point average and received many honors at school, including student of the month and a merit award for outstanding conduct, effort and homework. "He is sensitive to others, and tries not to hurt anyone's feelings," says his teacher, Linda Jones. Noah visits the sick at Valley Health Care Center and gives toys to the needy. He also has participated in "Jump for Hearts" for the American Heart Association and has taken part in three plays with Stage Door Productions Children's Theatre. Noah is active outside the classroom, playing soccer, baseball and football as well as taking chess and piano lessons.