Tenth Grade: Cori Ann Snyder

Published online on Friday, May. 16, 2008

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."