Eighth-grader Marisa Moraza has a 4.37 grade-point average and numerous academic and music honors, but said she's most proud of winning her classmates' respect.
Marisa, 13, was named Bulldog of the Year at Cherry Avenue Middle School in Tulare in both the sixth and seventh grades, an honor bestowed on a boy and girl each year by vote of their peers.
When asked why she won the award, Marisa said: "Maybe because my peers think of me as trustworthy, respectful and responsible."
Lynn Stafford, Marisa's honors language arts teacher, said she suspects her classmates chose her as Bulldog of the Year -- twice -- because she's not only an excellent student, but also involved in a variety of activities and willing to take charge in an unassuming way.
Stafford, who nominated Marisa to be an Academic All-Star, said she's watched her emerge as the spokesperson during group assignments: "She's quiet, but she ends up being the leader, even with all these honors students."
Marisa Moraza is the eighth grade winner of this year's Academic All-Star award.
See all nominees and print certificatesStafford also described Marisa as a "go-getter."
"She challenges herself constantly. She goes above and beyond," Stafford said.
Marisa plans to attend a University of California campus but has not decided on a career. Marisa said her most cherished awards were the Bulldog of the Year and Fresno Bee Academic All-Star designations, and being named to the honor jazz and honor concert bands for Tulare and Kings counties.
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2008 Academic All-Stars
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