Sun Scholar 2007: Career-Foreign Language

Daniela Cruz

Daniela Cruz likes to learn new things about her culture, and that has helped her earn the honor in foreign language.

Teresa Cruz, a teacher and counselor at Antelope Union High School, stated that Cruz "worked very hard to learn grammar, accent mark rules and verb conjugations. She enjoyed most learning about all of the Spanish-speaking countries."

Cruz is valedictorian and active in volleyball, tennis and student council. The daughter of Daniel and Teresa Cruz, she plans to attend Mesa Community College for a degree in dental hygiene.

Sun Scholar 2007: Career - Foreign language

Cortney Miller

Foreign language student Cortney Miller has already traveled to the Dominican Republic and Mexico multiple times while helping to spread the gospel.

"The fact that I can use it at my work and on the mission field" is what the Calvary Baptist School senior likes the most about the subject of foreign languages.

"She willingly helps other students who are just starting to learn a new language," Laila Meyers wrote in Miller's nomination letter.

An honor roll student, Miller has also been recognized with the Top Christian Character Award, the Goal Setter award and the Scripture memorization award.

Her extracurricular activities include being a Sunday school teacher, a member of the high school praise band and a yearbook coordinator. She is the daughter of Derron and Susan Miller.

Her future plans include attending Northern Arizona University this fall and obtaining a bachelor's degree in business management.

Sun Scholar 2007: Career-Foreign Language

Patty Ozuna

Patty Ozuna's "gana" or great hunger to learn and explore Spanish helped earn her nomination for the foreign language award.

"This desire she possesses makes her stand out in my mind as one of the best students I have ever had the pleasure of teaching," wrote teacher Francisco Nunez in his nomination letter.

Ozuna says she enjoys foreign language because she's "given a chance to explore a different culture and broaden her vocabulary for the Spanish language."

Ozuna is the daughter of Rene and Kris Ozuna.

In school she has earned an academic letter, band letter and the presidential award.

Her extracurricular activities have included band, mock trials and 4-H.

Ozuna plans to attend the University of Arizona and pursue a career in pediatric neurology.

Career- Foreign Language

Charlaina Miller

Charlaina Miller, a student at San Pasqual High School, has been nominated for the foreign language award.

Miller said she loves studying Spanish because of the opportunity to learn "a different language that you hear every day and don't understand." She added that she likes all the great food at the Spanish potlucks, too.

Teacher Juan Morales wrote in his nomination letter that the "ability to learn the Spanish language and the willingness to practice her new language are some of the qualities that really impress me most about Charlaina."

The daughter of Nathan and Delores Miller, the student is involved as a Wisdom Exchange mentor and she is a tech warrior and editor of the yearbook.

An honor roll student, Miller has been a Sun Go Getter and has received the Sunrise Optimists Award.

She plans to attend Arizona Western College for a year, then transfer to a university and study social work.

Kofa Senior Brittany Portman shakes hands with Sun presenter Cynthia Marshall Tuesday during the Sun Scholar award ceremony.
Benjamin Hager

Calvary Baptist senior Caleb Paden addresses the crowd at the Historic Yuma Theatre Tuesday after accepting his Sun Scholar award in the catagory of "Language Arts."

Yuma High School senior Raul Sanchez accepts his sun scholar award in the catagory of "Foreign Languages" Tuesday at the Historic Yuma Theatre.
Benjamin Hager

Cibola Sun Scholar Princes Lopez enjoys the post-award ceremony buffet Tuesday evening at the Yuma Historic Theatre.