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FOURTH GRADE: STEFANIE RODRIGUEZ
Fourth-grader Stefanie Rodriguez impresses with her sharp mind and eagerness to learn, but her teacher said that what distinguishes her from many smart students is her empathy.
The 10-year-old recently organized her classmates to write letters to students wounded in the Virginia Tech shooting. For her birthday this year, she asked her friends to donate to the American Cancer Society instead of bringing gifts.
For two years, Stefanie has collected yogurt container lids to raise money for the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and she visits her grandfather and other residents weekly at a convalescent home.
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FIRST GRADE: ABIGAIL SANTOS
Abigail Santos has a real flair for academic achievement, but it's her work outside the classroom that sets her apart. Abigail works hard to maintain straight A's in class, then spends her free time visiting elderly residents at a local senior center.
On each visit, Abigail brings handmade cards and drawings to give as gifts. Abigail also participated in a "math-a-thon" event at school to raise money for patients at St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Los Angeles.
Teacher Jessica Escobedo said Abigail recently gave a much more personal gift to help less fortunate children.
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SIXTH GRADE: SAIRA DELGADO
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."
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Fifth Grade: Jacquelyn Broader
Jacquelyn Broader has her life all planned out -- through retirement: She wants to attend Harvard University and start writing children's fiction books, move on to Yale University to study veterinary science, travel while practicing her medical career and then retire to finish her book series and write for a newspaper.
Her ambitious goals come from staying active in school and community activities.
"I like working hard," she said.
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Eighth Grade: Chloe Doyle
Chloe Doyle has a fun-sounding voice that is easy to remember.
She played a 1920s nightclub singer in “Charleston,” the Ranchos Middle School production in May. She sang the song, “Hey, Big Spender,” and tossed her hips.
Singing, however, is at the back of a long line of things she does well. She says she wants to become a psychologist when she grows up. She got the idea after studying how the brain works for the Madera County Academic Pentathlon competition.
Porterville High sophomore Cori Ann Snyder thanks scientist Arthur Fry, in part, for helping her organize a frenetic daily schedule that keeps her on the run.
"Post-it notes. A great invention," said the 15-year-old, giving a nod to the inventor of those little yellow pieces of paper with stickum on the back.
Cori Ann somehow maintains a 4.0 grade-point average while competing in water polo and swimming, playing the flute in the band, singing in the choir, painting theater sets, mentoring freshmen, helping coach youth basketball teams and lending a hand at a soup kitchen for the homeless.
"I make a lot of lists; plan everything out to organize and manage my time," she said. "My parents also drive me around. I've had great support from them and some of my teachers."
Among the many awards Cori Ann has won, she cherishes most her Victory with Honor distinction for basketball: "It was for being a good sport, being nice to teammates and working hard. That made me feel good."
Teacher Wade Mitchell oversees Cori Ann in his sophomore honors class.
"There's an integrity about her," he said. "Students look to her for advice and can count on her. She approaches friendships with a high level of maturity and has a clear picture of what she's accomplished and where she's going."
Cori Ann is leaving her options open, but she's leaning toward becoming a teacher.
"I do all I can to help others," she said, "because a lot of people can't do as much. It's a way of honoring them, because I can do it."
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2008 Academic All-Stars
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