Recognizing successes: Teachers help point students in the right direction

Editor's note: The Sun Scholars program is in its third year and recognizes students in Yuma County who excel in one of seven academic categories. This section will give you insight into these outstanding students. They will be recognized at an invitation-only event on May 8. The Sun Scholars program was implemented by The Sun.

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Some children discover where their talents lie right away, creating art with fingerpaints or reading a favorite book with their parents.

For others it comes later, after studying a world-changing event in history class or discovering something about the world through science.

Teachers in the elementary grades watch for those sparks and try to find ways to ignite them.

Once teachers have seen that spark, the challenge becomes keeping it alive through high school and beyond, to build that bud of interest into a passion they can use to take on the real world.

Denise Davis, the head of the science department at San Luis High School, said that when she or her colleagues see a student with a talent in a certain area, they try to get them into advanced placement classes and after-school programs where the student can pursue it.

"We find if they’re good at it or like it, we push them to go into the accelerated classes. We also encourage them to start taking classes out at (Arizona Western College)."

Davis said it is not grades alone that make students stand out from the crowd. It is the way they tackle their education and actively think about their work that sets the outstanding kids apart.

"Great students have curiosity, analysis skills ... being able to not just look at the obvious, but apply the obvious beyond. They really need the analysis skills or the thinking skills to see what the results lead you to."

She added that as it gets easier to access information, those critical thinking skills are getting rarer and rarer. Davis said that makes her appreciate the students who are truly interested in learning even more.

"That's probably where we struggle the most - getting the kids to do the thinking. Anymore, with the Internet, they just plug in their research and, boom, there it is. When you find those kids who go beyond that, those are the kids you have a lot of fun with."

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Sarah Reynolds can be reached at
sreynolds@yumasun.com or 539-6847.

NOEL MARTINEZ helps officer Jose Angulo take fingerprints recently inside of the Yuma Police Department. Martinez is a Sun scholar who volunteers with YPD as part of his extracurricular activities with social science. --photo by Jacob Lopez

Sun Scholar, Jacob Skousen, studies in his math class at Antelope High School. Terry Ketron

TIMMI SWIFTARROW (right) works with her science partner Lillie Fairchild during their science class recently at San Pasqual High School. Swiftarrow was selected by school counselors and teachers to be a Sun scholar in the area of science at San Pasqual. --photo by Jacob Lopez

Luke Muthart, Sun Scholar from Yuma Catholic High School works in the technical field at the school. Here he was setting up a sound system for test on the football field. Terry Ketron

Sun Scholar 2007: Career - Math

Brittany Suico Portman

Brittany Suico Portman, a senior at Kofa High School, is the salutatorian of her class and has received the ASU Presidential and Wildcat Excellence Awards.

She was nominated by math teacher Gloria Valentin, who wrote, "One of her strengths is how she can multitask and still have a smile on her face even when it is crunch time."

Valentin wrote that Portman is "a self-motivator and a mentor to many students" and "is always willing to assist any student who needs tutoring."

Portman enjoys math because of the challenge, and "there is always a solution to every problem."

She is the daughter of Nathan and Ninette Portman and is involved in Key Club, Academic Decathlon and Symphonic Band.

She plans to attend the University of Arizona to major in molecular and cellular biology.

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Math

Leah Fauth

Leah Fauth said the thing she enjoys most about mathematics is the endless application possibilities it has and the new concepts it formulates daily.

Cheryl Johnston, her mathematics teacher at Yuma High School, describes her as an amiable and intelligent self-starter who is one of the top students in her Advanced Placement calculus class. Johnston said Fauth never hesitates to enlighten the class with her questions that are aimed at getting to the heart of a concept.

Among her many accomplishments, Leah is the vice president of her senior class, a member of the National Honor Society and a varsity athlete in swimming, diving and track. She has competed internationally as a gymnast on the USA National Trampoline and Tumbling Team.

Fauth is the daughter of Daniel and Kim Fauth.

She plans to attend the University of Arizona and major in biochemistry and molecular biophysics.

Sun Scholar 2007: Career - Math

Jose V. Trigueros

San Luis High School senior Jose V. Trigueros is often the student in class who asks one of the most important questions: "Why?"

According to his math teacher Jesusita Martinez, Trigueros has an innovative and creative mind that sees much more than mere numbers when it comes to math. " 'Think outside the box' is the phrase that comes to mind when describing Jose," Martinez wrote in a nomination letter. "He is an innovative thinker that welcomes rigorous challenges and contributes greatly to the class environment."

In January, Trigueros was the Rotary Student of the Month, he is on the "A" Team and received a Social Studies Achievement Certificate. Additionally, he serves as president of the National Honor Society, president of the Computer Club and treasurer of the Science Club.

He is the son of Jose and Martha Trigueros.

After graduation, Trigueros plans to attend Arizona State University and work toward a degree in computer engineering.

Sun Scholar 2007: Career - Math

John Wallstrom

John Wallstrom said the complexity of mathematics is what he likes most about his field.

Will Blascyzk, Wallstrom's Advanced Placement calculus teacher at Cibola High School, calls him an amazing young man with outstanding mathematical ability. Blascyzk said another aspect of Wallstrom that impressed him was his assimilation into American culture after moving to the United States three years ago from the Dominican Republic. He said Wallstrom has learned a new language and a new way of life, and handled the transition with ease.

Wallstrom is a member of the Interact Club.

He is the recipient of the Arizona State University President's Award and the University of Arizona's Wildcat Excellence Award. He is the son of Tor and Karina Wallstrom.

His post-graduation plans are to attend ASU and pursue a degree in pre-medical engineering.

Sun Scholar 2007: Career - Math

Ethan Russell-Devaney

Ethan Russell-Devaney said the challenge of math is what he enjoys most of his subject field.

Brenne Deane, his mathematics coach at Carpe Diem Academy, said she was immediately struck by his maturity and eagerness to learn. She said he has a natural curiosity to learn the key concepts of mathematics. His questions go beyond practicing and procedures. He wants to know how and why things work.

Russell-Devaney is the student council president at Carpe Diem and is involved in the Honors Council and Theatre Arts.

He was honored with the Best Improvement in Algebra 2 Award for his accomplishments in math. He is the son of Marsha Russell-Devaney and Jay Devaney.

After graduation, he said, he will probably start his postsecondary education at a community college but he plans to go on to study at a university.