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Sun Scholars recognizes students with passion
BY JUANA M. GYEK
SUN STAFF WRITER
Not all high school students graduate with a perfect grade-point average or excel in every school subject.
But through the Sun Scholar awards, students are recognized for the subjects they do have a passion for and have demonstrated excellence in.
For the fourth year, graduating seniors of all area high schools have been nominated to be recognized as Sun Scholars, a program sponsored by The Sun.
The program serves as a way to acknowledge students for their excellence in a specific academic area at their school, said Lori Stofft, marketing director at The Sun.
High school teachers and counselors are asked to nominate one student in each of seven academic categories, Stofft said: math, social sciences, science, career technical, language arts, arts and foreign languages.
BY JUANA M. GYEK
SUN STAFF WRITER
Not all high school students graduate with a perfect grade-point average or excel in every school subject.
But through the Sun Scholar awards, students are recognized for the subjects they do have a passion for and have demonstrated excellence in.
For the fourth year, graduating seniors of all area high schools have been nominated to be recognized as Sun Scholars, a program sponsored by The Sun.
The program serves as a way to acknowledge students for their excellence in a specific academic area at their school, said Lori Stofft, marketing director at The Sun.
High school teachers and counselors are asked to nominate one student in each of seven academic categories, Stofft said: math, social sciences, science, career technical, language arts, arts and foreign languages.
"This is about the kid who had something in their educational past lit a spark in them and made them passionate about something and pursued it to a level that their teachers and their counselors have taken recognition of."
Stofft said the program allows a diverse set of students to be recognized, from all types of schools.
"It levels the playing field for kids all over the region. Some
students have a lot of opportunities, other students don't have as many opportunities. It's great when we can recognize a diverse amount of people."
Stofft said Sun Scholars are celebrated as individuals who through their performance stand out from the rest in a particular subject in school.
Students will be recognized before parents, teachers and counselors in an invitation-only awards ceremony and reception May 6.
The profiles of the Sun Scholars were compiled by Juana Gyek and Nancy Gilkey.
Stofft said the program allows a diverse set of students to be recognized, from all types of schools.
"It levels the playing field for kids all over the region. Some
students have a lot of opportunities, other students don't have as many opportunities. It's great when we can recognize a diverse amount of people."
Stofft said Sun Scholars are celebrated as individuals who through their performance stand out from the rest in a particular subject in school.
Students will be recognized before parents, teachers and counselors in an invitation-only awards ceremony and reception May 6.
The profiles of the Sun Scholars were compiled by Juana Gyek and Nancy Gilkey.
Jonatan Mendoza Rodriguez - Sun Scholar Award 2008: Art
What Jonatan Mendoza Rodriguez likes most about the arts field is that he can express his imagination.
The San Luis High School senior "has proven himself to be very artistic and unique with creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of art, wrote art teacher Manuel Buchanan in his nomination letter.
Rodriguez "has always strived to meet classroom criteria at higher levels," Buchanan said. "He is an authentic artist when creating art."
After graduation, Rodriguez plans to earn a bachelor's degree in art education at Arizona State University. His parents are Guadalupe Rodriguez Siema and Jesus Mendoza Ramirez.
What Jonatan Mendoza Rodriguez likes most about the arts field is that he can express his imagination.
The San Luis High School senior "has proven himself to be very artistic and unique with creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of art, wrote art teacher Manuel Buchanan in his nomination letter.
Rodriguez "has always strived to meet classroom criteria at higher levels," Buchanan said. "He is an authentic artist when creating art."
After graduation, Rodriguez plans to earn a bachelor's degree in art education at Arizona State University. His parents are Guadalupe Rodriguez Siema and Jesus Mendoza Ramirez.
Johan Sotelo - Sun Scholar Award 2008: Art
With a passion for music and a desire to express his passion through the media, Johan Sotelo began taking guitar and singing lessons a couple of years ago.
Though he did not have a strong music foundation, he has come a very long way and is an outstanding example of a serious high school music student, wrote Gary W. Snyder, director of music at Yuma Catholic High
School, in his nomination letter.
Sotelo possesses a level of dedication, desire, appreciation and ability that will take him to the highest level he chooses and will drive him throughout his university career, Snyder said.
Sotelo has received the Golden Shamrock Choir and Honor Roll awards. His extracurricular activities include soccer and vocal and piano lessons at AWC.
His post-graduation plans are to earn a degree in music and business at the University of Arizona. He is the son of Martin and Guadalupe Sotelo.
With a passion for music and a desire to express his passion through the media, Johan Sotelo began taking guitar and singing lessons a couple of years ago.
Though he did not have a strong music foundation, he has come a very long way and is an outstanding example of a serious high school music student, wrote Gary W. Snyder, director of music at Yuma Catholic High
School, in his nomination letter.
Sotelo possesses a level of dedication, desire, appreciation and ability that will take him to the highest level he chooses and will drive him throughout his university career, Snyder said.
Sotelo has received the Golden Shamrock Choir and Honor Roll awards. His extracurricular activities include soccer and vocal and piano lessons at AWC.
His post-graduation plans are to earn a degree in music and business at the University of Arizona. He is the son of Martin and Guadalupe Sotelo.
Cortney Claar - Sun Scholar Award 2008: Art
Cortney Claar loves being able to express creativity through art.
"It's the only subject I feel has no boundaries or limits to the imagination," she wrote on her nomination form.
"Her love is photography," wrote Diane Hatch, art teacher at Antelope Union High School, in her nomination letter. Claar is a patient, thoughtful photography student who finds unique perspectives to help others see the world in new ways, Hatch said.
"(Claar) is also a cheerleader, organizes the school blood drive, sings in her church choir, and is a happy person to be around," Hatch said.
Claar's extracurricular activities include being Cheer Captain, Key Club President and student council member. She is the daughter of Brian and Paula Claar.
After graduation, she plans to study cosmetology at the Yuma School of Beauty.
Cortney Claar loves being able to express creativity through art.
"It's the only subject I feel has no boundaries or limits to the imagination," she wrote on her nomination form.
"Her love is photography," wrote Diane Hatch, art teacher at Antelope Union High School, in her nomination letter. Claar is a patient, thoughtful photography student who finds unique perspectives to help others see the world in new ways, Hatch said.
"(Claar) is also a cheerleader, organizes the school blood drive, sings in her church choir, and is a happy person to be around," Hatch said.
Claar's extracurricular activities include being Cheer Captain, Key Club President and student council member. She is the daughter of Brian and Paula Claar.
After graduation, she plans to study cosmetology at the Yuma School of Beauty.
Erik Curiel - Sun Scholar Award 2008: Art
Cibola High School senior Erik Curiel has been nominated for the Sun Scholar Arts Award 2008.
Though he enjoys all aspects of art, what he likes most is completing his pieces and making them as perfect as possible, he wrote in his nomination form.
After graduation, he plans to attend college to study art, with an emphasis on drawing. He is the son of Juan Curiel and Patricia Curiel.
Cibola High School senior Erik Curiel has been nominated for the Sun Scholar Arts Award 2008.
Though he enjoys all aspects of art, what he likes most is completing his pieces and making them as perfect as possible, he wrote in his nomination form.
After graduation, he plans to attend college to study art, with an emphasis on drawing. He is the son of Juan Curiel and Patricia Curiel.
Timothy Tiutan - Sun Scholar Award 2008: Art
Timothy Tiutan says his passion for music motivates him to get out of bed every morning. Evidently, that motivation spills onto others throughout each day.
He is an excellent student who's ranked No. 11 in his senior class and is concertmaster of the Kofa Orchestra, wrote Kenna Tanaka, orchestra teacher. "Whenever I have to be away from class, I only have to tell the substitute, 'Tim will be in charge.'"
Tiutan's academic awards include Mr. Kofa 2008, Arizona Wildcat Excellence Award and Arizona Western College Dean's List. Extracurricular activities include volunteering at Yuma Regional Medical Center, being a member and lifeguard at YMCA and performing at weddings.
Though music is his passion, his post-graduation plans are to major in physiology at the University of Arizona and to become a pediatrician. He is the son of Maria Cuyegkeng and Robert Spurgeon.
Timothy Tiutan says his passion for music motivates him to get out of bed every morning. Evidently, that motivation spills onto others throughout each day.
He is an excellent student who's ranked No. 11 in his senior class and is concertmaster of the Kofa Orchestra, wrote Kenna Tanaka, orchestra teacher. "Whenever I have to be away from class, I only have to tell the substitute, 'Tim will be in charge.'"
Tiutan's academic awards include Mr. Kofa 2008, Arizona Wildcat Excellence Award and Arizona Western College Dean's List. Extracurricular activities include volunteering at Yuma Regional Medical Center, being a member and lifeguard at YMCA and performing at weddings.
Though music is his passion, his post-graduation plans are to major in physiology at the University of Arizona and to become a pediatrician. He is the son of Maria Cuyegkeng and Robert Spurgeon.
Samantha Albert - Sun Scholar Award 2008: Art
Samantha Albert is a respected senior with immeasurable art skills, according to art teacher George Ferguson.
"She is personable and very well liked by peers, teachers and adults alike," wrote Ferguson in his letter of recommendation.
"It has been my privilege to develop a respectable teacher-student relationship and helping her to achieve her art skills."
What Albert likes most about her chosen subject field is that she can express her feelings in art, she said.
Thought her major is undecided, she plans to attend Arizona Western after graduation. She is the daughter of Tina White.
Samantha Albert is a respected senior with immeasurable art skills, according to art teacher George Ferguson.
"She is personable and very well liked by peers, teachers and adults alike," wrote Ferguson in his letter of recommendation.
"It has been my privilege to develop a respectable teacher-student relationship and helping her to achieve her art skills."
What Albert likes most about her chosen subject field is that she can express her feelings in art, she said.
Thought her major is undecided, she plans to attend Arizona Western after graduation. She is the daughter of Tina White.
Justin Lujan - Sun Scholar Award 2008: Art
Justin Lujan is a wonderfully talented, kind young man who is destined to do truly great things in the world of the arts, says Nicola Olsen, drama director at Yuma High School.
"He has a delightful tenor voice and always adds such vitality and energy to whatever role he is playing," she said. Not only did he perform wonderfully as the Tin Woodsman in "The Wizard of Oz," he also motivated the cast to a higher level of performance, she said.
Lujan is also a leader who helps to bring out the best in others with his kindness and generosity, she said. Also a dance student, Lujan landed a role in the YHS production of "Hairspray," for which he choreographed one of the dances, she said.
As for Lujan, he said: "Being involved in the fine arts has allowed me to express myself through music and it teaches much discipline for the future."
He is a Senior Award Winner for the Northern Arizona University Summer Music Camp, and he received a lead role in the spring musical. He auditioned for the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles and is currently awaiting the results.
His parents are Tommy Lujan and Sharon Lujan.
Justin Lujan is a wonderfully talented, kind young man who is destined to do truly great things in the world of the arts, says Nicola Olsen, drama director at Yuma High School.
"He has a delightful tenor voice and always adds such vitality and energy to whatever role he is playing," she said. Not only did he perform wonderfully as the Tin Woodsman in "The Wizard of Oz," he also motivated the cast to a higher level of performance, she said.
Lujan is also a leader who helps to bring out the best in others with his kindness and generosity, she said. Also a dance student, Lujan landed a role in the YHS production of "Hairspray," for which he choreographed one of the dances, she said.
As for Lujan, he said: "Being involved in the fine arts has allowed me to express myself through music and it teaches much discipline for the future."
He is a Senior Award Winner for the Northern Arizona University Summer Music Camp, and he received a lead role in the spring musical. He auditioned for the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles and is currently awaiting the results.
His parents are Tommy Lujan and Sharon Lujan.
Kasey Fry - Sun Scholar Award 2008: Career Technical
Being involved in FFA, Up and Coming 4-H Club and volunteering at the Humane Society of Yuma have given Yuma High School senior Kasey Fry experience for her future career.
Fry wants to become a veterinarian. She is the president of Yuma FFA chapter and in her years in the club has taken part in competitions at district, state and national levels. After graduation she plans to run for
an officer position in state FFA.
Ranked third in her class, Fry is also in the A-Team Honor Roll and was named YHS student of the month in September.
She plans to attend Arizona Western College to obtain an associate's degree in biology. She is the daughter of Dennis and Susan Fry.
Being involved in FFA, Up and Coming 4-H Club and volunteering at the Humane Society of Yuma have given Yuma High School senior Kasey Fry experience for her future career.
Fry wants to become a veterinarian. She is the president of Yuma FFA chapter and in her years in the club has taken part in competitions at district, state and national levels. After graduation she plans to run for
an officer position in state FFA.
Ranked third in her class, Fry is also in the A-Team Honor Roll and was named YHS student of the month in September.
She plans to attend Arizona Western College to obtain an associate's degree in biology. She is the daughter of Dennis and Susan Fry.
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