Happy Holidays from Columbia and Groveland.
Lions Club Peace Poster Contest winner announced; County’s stellar students honored,
Tuolumne County schools have announced Students of the Month for November:
Gavin Marquardt, sixth grade, Belleview Elementary — “Gavin is a stellar student,” said teacher Nancy Hoyt. “He walks in the room with a positive attitude every day. His schoolwork is exemplary and he excels in each and every subject. He is extremely well-organized and is always ready for class. Gavin is exceptionally polite and respectful. He is an excellent athlete. Students always seek Gavin out as a partner on a project or as a team member. Gavin deservedly earned Honor Roll status this past trimester.” Gavin is the son of Chris Marquardt, of Sonora.
Aaron Ruedas, fifth grade, Chinese Camp Science Academy — Aaron, the son of Juan and Ana Ruedas, of Jamestown, “is the type of person who is eternally smiling and ready to say something positive,” said teacher Sheri Betz. “His optimistic approach crosses over to all areas of his life. I witness his attitude first thing in the morning when I see him on campus before any other student. He is ready for the day and quick to settle in for some extra help. During the normal day’s routine, Aaron is organized and responsible as he stays focused on the lesson and maintains a high level of responsibility. I appreciate how he attentively listens to instruction, making sure to stay engaged in the lesson. … I like how he is finding his own style and voice as he writes, using personal experiences and stories to add life to his compositions. Besides doing a great job with academics, Aaron is also consistently kind-hearted toward everyone.”
Noah Vallanueva, third grade, Columbia
Elementary — “Noah is a kind as they come,” said teacher Amber Brennan. “He is a friend to all. He works hard everyday. He does his best and eagerly takes on new challenges. Noah is a delightful third-grader.” Noah is the son of Sean Vallanueva, of Jamestown.
Zorina Ceraban, eighth grade, Connections
Visual and Performing Arts Academy — Zorina, the daughter of Genevieve and Brian Ceraban, of Sonora, “has been an amazing addition to Connections this year,” said school staff. “Her teachers have commented that she is friendly, helpful, and conscientious. She always wears a smile and applies herself fully to any learning activity. Zori is an excellent leader in class and consistently sets the example for her peers to emulate. Additionally, Zori has earned straight A’s both trimesters.”
Tarren Hyde, 12th grade, Connections Visual
and Performing Arts Academy — “Tarren has been a great student at Connections,” wrote school staff. “His teachers say he is great to have in class. He is thoughtful and has and a great attitude.tarren serves as the vice president for our Summerville FFA chapter. He truly lives by the FFA Code of Ethics.tarren is a hardworking and dependable student, always willing to step up when needed. He is an excellent role model for younger students, and we are lucky to have him in our agriculture program and at our school. He plans to pursue his ag education further at Mjc.”tarren is the son of Jeremiah and Amelia Hyde, of Sonora.
Shannon Mcclintock, second grade, Curtis Creek Elementary — “Shannon is an outstanding student who does over and above the daily work,” said teacher Anne Brosnan. “She challenges herself in math with word problems and facts, her engineering team built the tallest and most stable building. In language arts, she writes great stories and reads several books a week. As a role model, she consistently follows directions, contributes to classroom activities and discussions, and has great organizational skills. She listens attentively to others and demonstrates self-confidence and selfcontrol. Her character is exemplary. She is kind, caring, thoughtful and respects people.” Shannon is the son of Matt and Katie Mcclintock, of Sonora.
Raymond Mckee, 12th grade, Dario Cassina
High — Raymond, the son of Danielle Dickinson and Greg Mckee, of Sonora, “is a young man who deserves to be Student of the Month for many reasons,” said counselor Eric Knapp. “Perfect attendance, always respectful and earns two to three more credits per block than the normal 15 that is typically what one can earn.”junia Durgin, sixth grade, Gold Rush Charter — “Junia works incredibly hard to meet expectations,” said her teachers. “Her work is thorough, thoughtful, and she always strives to be descriptive and clear in her writing. So sweet and so motivated, she is a joy to teach.” Junia is the daughter of Joseph and Anhelica Durgin, of Mi-wuk Village.
Araceli Lopez, third grade, Jamestown Elementary
— “There is no one more reliable and willing to lend a helpful hand than Araceli,” said teachers Melissa Miotti and Kally Bowser. “She approaches her work with enthusiasm and always has a great attitude. Because if this, she is a wonderful role model in class. Araceli is excelling in the Dual Language Program at Jamestown Elementary and is an avid bilingual reader. Araceli is a student who shows strong moral character and is a recipient of many citizenship awards. We are so fortunate to have Araceli in our class.” Araceli is the daughter of Alvaro and Esther Lopez, of Jamestown.
Dex Edwards III, fifth grade, Lake Don Pedro
Elementary — “Dex is a dedicated student, an aspiring professional football athlete, and a boy with many friends,” said teacher Liz Huber. “Dex gives his all in everything he does. He loves to
learn and he loves to compete. Keep an eye out for this kid on the football field and in the classroom. He’s working on a bright future.” Dex is the son of Dex and Bianca Edwards, of La Grange.
Nathon Church, 11th grade, Long Barn High
— “Nate’s enthusiasm and positive attitude have made him stand out at Long Barn,” said teacher Mark Antinetti. “His self-motivation and great people skills will ensure his continued success in school and afterward.” Nathon is the son of Jeramy and Morgan Church, of Mi-wuk Village.
Layla Compton, fifth grade, Mountain Oaks
Charter — Layla, the daughter of Matt and Melissa Compton, of Columbia, “is a bright, hardworking student with a pleasant disposition and genuine smile,” said teacher Jill Vienop. “She always arrives at our weekly meetings with her core homework assignments completed, including assigned book reports that always feature her artistic flair with intricate dioramas, imaginative board game creations, and detailed drawings that all relate to her reports. Layla loves poetry and enjoys reading a variety of novels, all of which she often explains to me in great detail. Although Layla has been with our school a relatively short time, she has consistently demonstrated progressive personal growth both academically and creatively.”
Lillianwatkins, eighth grade, Sonora Elementary
— “While maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, Lillian represents Sonora Elementary in basketball, volleyball, and track, and also plays travel volleyball and soccer”, said school staff. “In her free time, she likes to play different sports and be active. She values the small town of Sonora and loves being near Dodge Ridge andyosemite. She feels the most important virtue of being successful is effort, putting the work in, and engaging no matter what you are doing. She is looking forward to Sonora High School, playing soccer and volleyball and looks forward to the great coaching there. Her teachers describe her as diligent, competitive, driven, responsible, motivated, and helpful”. Lillian is the daughter of Johnwatkins and Aleja Oliva, of Sonora.
Darius O’neal, 12th grade, Sonora High — Darius, the son of Larry and Kimberlee O’neal, of Sonora “is an amazing asset to our school and a prime example of a Wildcat,” said counselor Courtney Castle. “As said by Karen Sells (Assistant Principal and Athletic Director), ‘Darius is an amazing young man who embodies what it means to be a committed student/athlete at Sonora High School.’ Darius is polite and always considerate of his teachers and other students. Darius has succeeded in the most rigorous classes Sonora High has to offer as well as in college classes while enrolled in the Middle College program. Darius is also a standout athlete on our boys’ basketball team.”
Ryan Alkema, eighth grade, Soulsbyville
Elementary — “Ryan is consistently prepared for class and uses his time wisely to work on classwork,” said school staff. “He has a positive attitude, behaves responsibly and follows school rules. We are honored to have Ryan be a part of our Falcon family.” Ryan is the son of Derick and Jessica Alkema, oftuolumne.
Virgil Delacruz, 12th grade, Summerville
High — “Virgil is an intelligent and gifted student, always helpful, kind and has a great sense of humor,” said Jennifer Osterhout, grade level coordinator. He is the son of Kellsie Adams and Robert Briesch, oftwain Harte.
Vittoria O’neill, third grade,tenaya Elementary — Vittoria, the daughter of Sarah and Gabriel O’neill, “is a kind and caring classmate,” said teacher Jennifer Smith. “She uses kind words and helps those in need. She is responsible by doing her classwork and trying very hard to pay attention and learn all she can.” Vittoria is the daughter of Sarah and Gabriel O’neill, of Groveland.
Daniel Silva, 12th grade,theodore Bird High
— “Daniel is an outstanding choice for Student of the Month,” said teacher Jeff Hansten. “He is a great student who does excellent work in every course. Because of his hard work, he will graduate high school ahead of schedule. Daniel will continue his college path after he graduates. He is considering a career in computer science, and possibly moving to Washington State.” Daniel is the son of Daniel Silva, of Sonora.
Emery Figueroa, 12th grade,tioga High — “Emery Figueroa is an exemplary student who has shown real grace under pressure his senior year,” said Principal Ryan Dutton. “An avid basketball player, he suffered a severe knee injury this fall and is unable to play his last year attioga. Nonetheless, Emery maintains his 1,000-watt smile, cheerful attitude and always positive composure. Emery is responsible, mature, reliable and very smart. He excels in his academic classes and shows real insight and understanding in class discussions and writing. He’s a leader in landscaping class, helping with the many projects that the class has taken to improve our small school. He also takes on a teaching or helping role in weight training, a class that he really enjoys but cannot participate in currently due to his knee injury.” Emery is the son of David Dowell andtabitha Figueroa, of Greeley Hill.
Andrew Kepner, sixth grade,twain Harte
Elementary — “Andrew is a leader in sixth grade, both in and out of the classroom,” said teacher Mary Bickley. “He is generous, always taking the time to offer a helping hand to anyone in need, student or staff. He is courageous, standing up for what he knows to be right, even when it is difficult. Andrew is an excellent student with a consistent 4.0 GPA. In addition, he is a well-rounded individual — athletic, a class representative, enthusiastic and involved in all his classes and school events, and is liked and respected by his peers.” Andrew is the son of Joshua and Daisi Kepner, of Mi-wuk Village.