Help us choose the next Des Moines area Student of the Week

While students' attentions are turning to summer vacation, there is still time to honor their work by voting for one as the Des Moines Register's Student of the Week.

Like the Register's popular Athlete of the Week, this series highlights successes in academics and extracurriculars. Staff from schools in Polk, Dallas and Warren counties are asked each week to nominate a student they think rises to the occasion.

We turn to the public for help choosing that week's winner.

The public can vote on this week's Student of the Week contest through noon on Thursday, May 16. The winner will be announced May 17.

Here's this week's finalists:

Roosevelt freshman Sha’nye Kinchelow-Cason

Roosevelt freshman Sha’nye Kinchelow-Cason is an advocate for the student experience, serving as a freshman on our Student Leadership Council - a group of student leaders focused on advocating and implementing transformative change within our systems at Roosevelt. Within this team, Sha’nye led work on analyzing and determining available literature to restock our nearly-renovated library with books. Sha’nye also sits in on interview panels to ensure that student voice is prioritized at the table when determining the adults who serve our Roosevelt’s commitment to excellence. Kyle Van Meter, Sha’nye’s physical education teacher, shares that she is a leader in class for her groups, takes responsibility for her actions and has really grown as a student this year. Additionally, Sha’nye is a member of girls basketball. Sha’nye is a positive influence; she is self-determined with high expectations for herself, her peers and the adults around her. She can always be found trying to lift the spirits of those around her. All and all, Sha’nye embodies our values of unity, equity and integrity as a strong example of Rider Excellence.

- Lisa Hesse, Roosevelt High School associate principal

Martensdale-St. Marys sophomore Jensen Dyer

Martensdale-St. Marys sophomore Jensen Dyer arrives prepared and actively engaged during class. During class, Jensen demonstrates respect, courtesy, and insightfulness towards his studies, peers, and staff. These same attitudes and characteristics transfer towards his extracurriculars, which included state wrestling this year. Having transferred this year to MStM, Jensen continues to demonstrate several of the core values MStM holds, which will continue to benefit him through high school, as well for his future. Jensen is a respectful, dedicated and hardworking student within our district!

- Chance Bender, Martensdale-St. Marys English language arts instructor

Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @svhernandez or Facebook at facebook.com/svhernandezreporter.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Help us choose the Des Moines Register's next Student of the Week