Student of the Month

Yahairi Nunez

March 6, 2024

 

To be Student of the Month, a teacher must recognize a student who is excelling in their class, has kind contributions, and is a good role model to their fellow peers. Having students acknowledge other students' hard work and achievements adds more meaning which is why I picked the student this month. I wanted to highlight Vanessa Wiliams, a 10th grade student at Seaside High School (SHS). Williams is helpful towards her peers and always answers questions confidently even if she does not know if she is right or wrong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I asked Carolynn Jennings, a Biology and AP Biology teacher here at Seaside High School, her thoughts on Williams because she is Williams`s Biology teacher. Jennings said Williams is, “A star student in my biology class, participates, and is a good team player when it comes to group activities.”  Jennings even said she enjoys, “seeing her at lunch and having nice conversations about other things unrelated to biology.” When attending the science trips the school provides, “Williams grouped up with students and collected data about rocks at the beach which was the most recent trip,” Jennings stated. On the field trip, she collected different rocks and materials which showed Williams was very willing to learn but also very determined and excited. Williams is an excellent participant for this month’s Student of the Month due to her efforts and perseverance which were immediately recognized by her teacher Carolynn Jennings.

 

This student who liked to be anonymous was asked their thoughts on how they felt about Williams being Student of the Month as they are William`s friend. They replied, “I am proud of her and of what she has accomplished in the two years she has been here at this school.” Williams enjoys hanging out with friends during break and lunch and helping them out with homework or doing notes for classes. 

Outside of school, she enjoys playing piano and sings as a hobby. Williams is in the SHS Advance Choir. She started officially taking choir classes in 3rd grade but started, “performing songs at school in pre-k,” she said. Her connection to music in general is that her family can play some sort of instrument whether it´s piano, trumpet, tuba, saxophone, or even singing as an instrument.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Williams maintains a GPA of 4.0 in part because of her parents. Williams states, “I get a lot of support, especially from my parents. When it comes to grades it’s like I’m their mini cadet making sure all get stuff done while also instilling good work habits. I am on top of my grades because of all the things they've taught me from balancing my social and school life.”  Her study strategies are listening to music and replacing the lyrics with the stuff she has to memorize for tests or when she needs to do presentations for her classes. They encourage her to take rigorous classes that will challenge her so she isn’t bored and if she does choose to go to college it’ll look good on her application. “They're always thinking ahead even when I think the outcomes won't matter,” she said. Since her parents were never forceful about the idea of her going to college, her mentality was positive. She sees it as a personal goal to get into an Ivy League college instead of a chore. Williams wants to be a psychiatrist similar to her mom who has a degree in Psychology.