Ninth Grade: Taryn Rochelle Morita

Published online on Friday, May. 16, 2008

Taryn Rochelle Morita may be about 5 feet tall, but she stands above the rest in Clovis High School's freshman class.

She also likes to go airborne as a member of the school's cheer squad.

Taryn is a straight-A student in a class schedule that includes chemistry, English and Algebra 2 honor classes, typically taken by juniors and seniors, said school counselor Bill Leavitt, who nominated Taryn.

In her spare time, she plays the piano, reads novels and likes to watch her younger brother play baseball.

Her list of extracurricular activities includes volunteer work for her church, the United Japanese Christian Church, in Clovis. This summer she and other church members plan to go to New Orleans to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"I enjoy helping people," Taryn said. "It is a nice way to represent the school."

Of all her school accomplishments, Taryn is proud to be a member of the freshman cheer squad and the school's competition cheer team. The cheer team encourages school spirit at football, volleyball and water polo games. The competition team represents Clovis West nationally. This school year, the cheer team won eight competitions, including the national tournament in Anaheim. Because of her small stature, she's the person tossed in the air and held high above the rest of the team. "I trust my teammates," she said smiling.

Her future may include the University of the Pacific in Stockton and a pharmacy career.

"She is the complete student -- one who epitomizes Clovis Unified's ideal of 'Mind, Body and Spirit,' " Leavitt said in his nomination papers.