In The Zona - West Valley Feb. 2014 | Page 10

m where good kids can be famous too! th ez on a. in the co ZONA in SarahUnion High School Brooks Junior at Tolleson Sarah Brooks knows the value of giving back to her community. As an active member of the Tolleson Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix since she was 11, Sarah has participated in a countless number of volunteer activities. Q: What are some of projects you’ve worked on recently? A: Last year, Keystone did a Books-for-Tots program. Families and libraries donated books to Keystone so we could set up a table where little kids could come pick out a book of their own for free. Keystone also recently organized a canned food drive for the Tolleson Food Bank. We set up a donation spot at the front of our Club and collected big boxes full of food for the Food Bank. Q. Tell us about your recent pen essay contest win? A. My English teacher, Mrs. Webb, asked all the middle school classes to write an essay for the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) Essay Contest. This year’s theme was “What does patriotism mean to me?” It was a requirement for my class. Q. How did you feel when you heard that you on first place? A. My Principal, Mr. Reardon, and teacher, Mrs. Webb, announced that my essay placed at the post and district level, but I did not know what I won. I found out when I went to the VFW banquets. Q. What is the one thing that you love about attending STA? A. I have attended St. Thomas Aquinas since pre-school. I love attending STA because my teachers work hard at getting me ready for high school and I like being able to learn about my faith. O Matthew has been awarded second place at post level, first place at district level, and third place at state level! With earnings of $450.00… Great job, Matthew! inthezona Q: Who inspires you to give back? A: Definitely my dad and my sisters. My dad works for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, so he has always taught us about how important it is to do what you can for others. He and my sisters have always been a big inspiration. Matthew Scheller Jr. 7th Grader at St. Thomas Aquinas Jillian Trent 3rd Grader at The Odyssey Prep Academy O Q. What does it mean to be a scholar ambassador? A. Last year the teachers choose one scholar from each class and then we went to the principal and he asked us a bunch of questions. Then he picked an ambassador for each grade. I was picked for 3rd grade. Every morning I say the Core Values on the loud speaker. An example of a core value is: “Growth isn’t always measured by test scores.” At Kudos (monthly award/recognition ceremony for the whole school) I read the nominations for IB Scholar profiles and sometimes do the announcements. It also means my teacher trusts me. finish these stories @ inthezona.com 10 \ February 2014 Q. If you were to have one wish to use on anything, what would you wish for? A. A million dollars to help poor people. Q. What do you want to be when you grow up? A. Either a Christian singer or a dancer. Q. What is your best subject in school? Why do you like this one the best? A. My favorite subject is either math or science. I like math because you learn a lot and its just fun. finish these stories @ inthezona.com O inthezona.com