Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/980942
Johnna Herron, a student at Decatur High School, has been nominated to be an Academic All-Star by high school coun- selor, Hannah Hawkins. "Johnna is one of the brightest and unique students I have ever worked with," stated Hawkins. "She is an excellent role model for others and strives to overcome every obstacle set before her." Johnna has a 4.03 GPA, an ACT score of 27, and plans on attending University of Arkansas. She has taken advanced coursework including AP Liter- ature, AP Language, AP World History, and College Algebra. Johnna has won many awards and honors including second place in Intro to Business Calculations District FBLA (2015), first place in Intro to Personal Finance District FBLA (2016), second place in Personal Finance District FBLA (2017), and has been on the Honor Roll (2014-2018). She is actively involved in her community and school including Student Council (2014-2018), National Honor Society (2018), World Cultures Club (2018), and FBLA (2014-2017). "Without education, I would not be the person I am today," noted Johnna. "Not only has education had a large impact on my personality, but on my morals, integ- rity, and work ethic. Throughout school I have been coached to commit myself to whatever it is I am working on, this dedication has translated into all aspects of my life. I have learned to take pride in what I do, and to only do things that I believe will better me. My education has inspired me to try to constantly grow and become the best version of myself possible." Johnna Herron - Decatur High School Faith Strahan, a student at Prairie Grove High School, has been nominated to be an Academic All-Star by high school counselor, Mandy Hunt. "Faith is one of those students who goes above and beyond in all she does," noted Hunt. "She is self-studying for AP exams in classes we do not even teach." With a weighted GPA of 4.3103 and an ACT score of 29, Faith has taken advanced coursework including AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP World History, AP Psychology, AP Human Geography, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP U.S. History, AP Literature and Composition, AP World Comparative Government and Politics, AP English Language and Composition, AP Calculus AB, AP Studio Art: 2-D Design, AP Music Theory, and concurrent: Public Speaking at NWACC. She has applied to Bennington College, Mount Allison University, Coe College, Hollins University, and Green Mountain College. Faith plans on attending Bennington College and majoring in International Studies and Foreign Language. "She is involved in local and state politics and she volunteers a lot of her time to causes that mean something to her," added Hunt. "She is a sweet girl that has a promising future and I am excited to see all the great things she does in her life." Faith has participated in the Quiz Bowl Academic Team, Family, Career, Commu- nity Leaders of America (FCCLA), Political Activism/Campaign Volunteer, Citi- zens' Climate Lobby member/volunteer, and Prairie Grove Aquatic Park Admissions (work). In addition to her community and school involvement, she has received numerous honors and awards including AP Scholar with Distinction (2017), Gold at National FCCLA STAR Events Competi- tion (2017), first at State DECA competitive events (2016 and 2017), first at Regional National History Day Competition (2014- 2017), and Top 25 at Regional ACTM Math Contest in Algebra II (2016) and in Statis- tics (2017). "I was raised by a family of educators, so it was instilled in me at a young age that education was deeply valuable and universally empowering," stated Faith. "When I reached high school, in the mess of finding an identity and realizing passions, I made a clear-cut choice that my goal was to nurture myself intellectually." "I think continually and consciously choosing to perceive the work I was doing as an opportunity for growth rather than a mandatory item on the figurative checklist of life was the fundamental factor of reaching my goals," added Faith. Faith Strahan - Prairie Grove High School Lalita Hongfa Sysavanh, a student at Springdale High School, has been nomi- nated to be an Academic All-Star by IB Coordinator Carol Turley. "Lalita is an impressive young lady who wants to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomed- ical Engineering at the conclusion of her postsecondary education," stated Turley. "In preparation for those studies, she is an IB Diploma Candidate and studying AP Calculus AB this year." In addition to AP Calculus AB, Lalita has also studied AP Human Geography, AP Biology, AP World History, IB English 11/12, IB Chemistry, IB Math SL, AP U.S. History, AP Psychology, IB Theory of Knowledge, IB Spanish B SL, IB History of the Americas, IB Psychology, and AP Calculus AB. Lalita has a weighted GPA of 4.364 and an ACT score of 30. She has applied to University of Arkansas, Brown University, Northwestern, Rensselaer Polytech Institute, Rice, USC, Tuffs, and Vanderbilt. She plans on attending University of Southern California and majoring in Biomedical Engineering. Lalita has received numerous awards and honors including Arkansas Gover- nor's School (2017), All-State Horn Player (2017), and NWA Outstanding Drum Major Class D (2017). She has dedicated time and service to community and school involvement including George Jr. High and Springdale High Marching Band (8th-12th grade), IB Diploma Programme Springdale High School (11th-12th grade), Ozark Mountain British Brass Band, and IB CAS project "Humans of SHS" Broad- casting the diversity of Springdale High School via Social Media. "When I ask her about her IB classes, a smile comes across her face and her eyes sparkle as she talks about being engaged in the curriculum," added Turley. "This past summer, I saw a similar reaction when I visited her at Arkansas Governor's School for the Gifted and Talented. Her enthusiasm for learning is contagious." Lalita Hongfa Sysavanh - Decatur High School Finance History Algebra Literature MAY 13, 2018 4 ACADEMIC ALL-STARS