The results are in! Meet the Students of the Week for May 27-31, 2024
This will be our final Student of the Week for the 2023-24 school year. Thank you to everyone who has participated, and best of luck to the student nominees in all future endeavors.
Student of the Week offers schools the chance to celebrate teens who have placed in an art, dance or music competition, excelled in a science fair, won an essay contest, received a scholarship, were recognized for their volunteer service or have shined in some other way.
This week we have two Student of the Week winners! Wendy Bell, a senior at Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory School, and Valeria Garcia Flores, a sophomore at Trevor G. Browne High School, tied for the most votes!
Wendy Bell, senior, Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory School
Wendy Bell, a senior at Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory School, was recently awarded the Good Citizen Award by the Paradise Valley Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution. Wendy is currently president of her school’s National Honor Society and is graduating this year as co-valedictorian. She also works as a teacher’s assistant in a child care program and has spearheaded volunteer projects in the community. She plans to pursue pre-medical studies at Gordon College in Massachusetts. Her career goal is to earn an M.D./Ph.D. and become a pediatrician.
Nomination submitted by Diana Nelson, president of Paradise Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Valeria Garcia Flores, sophomore, Trevor G. Browne High School
Valeria Garcia Flores has great critical thinking and time management skills. She is able to effectively analyze and evaluate information to find her own answers. She is also a leader as she has fantastic collaboration skills and encourages teamwork. She has the ability to present her ideas while having an open mind. She accepts any and all challenges that come her way. When she graduates, she wants to go to college. With her passion for learning, this young lady is someone to keep your eyes on.
Nomination submitted by Rhonda Watras-Gayman, English teacher, Trevor G. Browne High School.
Yissel Atayde, sophomore, Trevor G. Browne High School
This year, Yissel Atayde has been accepted into the summer Achieving a College Education program, which is an amazing opportunity that will help her achieve her goal of going to college. She was also accepted into the National Honor Society. She has received certificates for her numerous accomplishments, including her academic excellence. Her positive self-talk encourages not only her, but those around her to achieve great things. She has learned self-discipline by joining the ROTC program here at Trevor. This young lady is an amazing star.
Nomination submitted by Rhonda Watras-Gayman, English teacher, Trevor G. Browne High School.
Oscar Sotelo Mendoza, senior, Linda Abril Educational Academy
Oscar Sotelo Mendoza came to this country speaking very little English, and now his language skills are quite impressive. He has written beautiful and meaningful poetry portfolios and essays and is a very talented artist. He was the winner of Linda Abril Educational Academy's Sustained Silent Reading Challenge and was also featured in the school's TeenZine for his Haiku Ah-Choo project. Not only does Oscar care about his schoolwork, but he also cares about the planet and is an active member of our school's Blue Planet Society. He helps our school and our district to better recycle and protect the Earth. After graduation, Oscar plans to take college courses in Mexico. He is an outstanding student and compassionate international citizen.
Nomination submitted by Holly Purtell, English teacher, Linda Abril Educational Academy.
Ivette Garcia Pelcastre, senior, Trevor G. Browne High School
Besides her schoolwork, Ivette Garcia Pelcastre enjoys playing the guitar and other instruments. She loves spending time with her family and friends. One of her biggest dreams is to be able to reunite with her mom and two brothers here in Arizona. She yearns to travel to faraway places such as Japan with her family someday. Her desire to succeed shines through in everything that she does. She is an amazing young woman and student.
Nomination submitted by Rhonda Watras-Gayman, English teacher, Trevor G. Browne High School.
For more information on Student of the Week, email studentoftheweek@azcentral.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The results are in! Meet the Students of the Week for May 27-31, 2024
