Orlando Central - Issue #5 (July 2024)

zoom_in

OFM_Dept_Star Students_0724_DEPT 6 / 13 / 24 2 : 48 PM Page 1 the Principal’s Award and Character of the Month . Exceeding their academic responsibili - ties , they are also hardworking and kind to their E D U C A T I O N classmates . At the Florida State Scholastic Chess Championship , Shyam took first place in the individual K - 3 section and placed first in the E 2023 Orange County Public Schools tourna - ment ; Kannan placed 10th in her division . Their combined efforts helped OSES win first place overall . With a passion for chess , they continue to work to improve , despite their many accom - plishments already . David Han THE FIRST ACADEMY As class of 2024 valedic - torian , Han has consis - Shooting tently proven his dedica - tion and academic prowess in all areas of his studies . His accomplish - for the Stars ments haven’t gone unno - ticed , as STEM teacher These 15 star students go above and Neil Harrison had plenty of great things to say about the graduating senior . beyond in their academic studies in order “ Some students lean on their natural ability , to create a shining future for themselves . and some depend on hard work and dedication , but Han constantly shows both , ” says Harrison . Edited by Chelsea Valcourt “ Despite near perfection in the high - level classes , Han remains humble and brings a smile , joy ven as impressive as the works of Benjamin Franklin , Nicholas Tesla , and humor into the classroom every day . ” Albert Einstein and the like are , the world’s brightest minds may not “ Han always makes the effort to befriend Ehave even emerged yet . Today’s access to technology and a wealth of those who need it the most , serving as a mentor information available with the touch of a button is unprecedented and sets the and leader in many of his relationships , ” adds stage for a very exciting time in the fields of academia and innovation . band director Erin Mazza . Today , it’s all too easy to take for granted the access to schooling that we have in America . As such , it takes a truly humble and dedicated individual to Isabella Millan understand the privilege of obtaining an education and not squandering it — to CYPRESS CREEK HIGH SCHOOL not only attend school , but also fervently seek out knowledge . A vibrant and engaged These Central Florida youngsters are prime examples of what it means to be a student leader , Millan is star student . In addition to their commitment to rigorous academic studies , they always seeking out chal - are compassionate leaders among their peers and active members of their com - lenges to both better her - munity . Many have won awards , a few have authored books or taken to an instru - self and grow in a multi - ment , but they all have one thing in common : a thirst for knowledge and the tude of areas including tenacity to chase after it . mathematics , singing , acting and cheerleading . As an IB student , Millan completed two cre - championing women’s rights in Iran . In the coming Isabella Delbakhsh ativity - activity - service projects — twice the years , Delbakhsh will continue to pursue her inter - LAKE HIGHLAND PREPARATORY SCHOOL requirement . Last year , Millan co - coordinated ests in medicine and women’s rights . This senior is looking for - theTop Ten Dinner , which celebrates the accom - ward to attending Stanford plishments of the top 10 seniors . Millan made University in the fall . A stu - Kannan and Shyam Garg the event truly special by adding personal dent at Lake Highland ORLANDO SCIENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL touches and thoughtful details , including cre - since pre - K , Delbakhsh has ating a slideshow and programs and inviting a pursued her interests in teacher guest for each student . Millan is co - math , Latin , medicine and founder and president of the ESOL Learners women’s rights . She is the Club , which creates a fun and safe environment president of the Latin and Pre - Med clubs as well as for students to practice their English language a leadership volunteer for the local nonprofit skills without judgment . She is also active in sev - Orlando Math Circle , where she aims to promote eral on - campus organizations , including drama , diversity and accessibility to mathematics educa - sideline and competition cheerleading , flag foot - tion . Through her podcast , Hello World , the Future Kannan and Shyam Garg are twin third graders ball , varsity choir , track and National Honor is Female , and her Amazon best - selling book , who have attended OSES since kindergarten . Society . Freedom Speaks , she amplifies the voices of those During that time , the pair received straight A’s , 32 ORLANDO FAMILY july 2024 ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

view text

zoom_in

OFM_Dept_Star Students_0724_DEPT 6 / 13 / 24 1 : 25 PM Page 2 Sarah Lauren Munjed Lenny Polcaro Maya and Veda Srikantan TRINITY PREP MONTVERDE ACADEMY OLYMPIA HIGH SCHOOL Set to attend Duke Univer - Polcaro is a shining star in Earlier this school year , sity following her gradua - both academics and lead - juniors Maya and Veda tion , Munjed has spent her ership . As captain of the Srikantan received the high school years as an school’s track team , he sets Congressional Award Gold active member of the aca - the pace both on and off Medal . The gold medal is demic community . Since the field . Polcaro’s pursuit the highest congressional freshman year , Munjed has of excellence extends award youth can receive . To served as president of the beyond sports , as he earns achieve this award , each of Health Science Club , where she created the Suture - top marks and serves as a source of inspiration to the girls had to complete requirements in four key a - Thon to educate members on how to suture and his peers through his unwavering work ethic . areas , including voluntary public service , per - hosted guest speakers through a Doctor Talks pro - Additionally , he is the student director for Night sonaldevelopment , physical fitness and exploration . gram . In addition , Munjed is a research assistant for forthe Cure , a local event aimed at fundraising for Maya and Veda each completed more than 400 University of Central Florida under Dr . Xiaohu Xia , cancer research and relief . His passion for making public - servicehours ; spent 200 hours on personal where she has investigated the creation of bimetallic a difference in his community is evident in his development in the area of musical performance ; nanocages through galvanic replacement . Munjed commitment to this cause . With his exceptional completed 200 hours of physical fitness ; and has been the recipient of numerous awards , accolades leadership skills and compassionate heart , Pol - explored India during a five - day trip . In October , and honor society memberships , including National caro leaves a lasting impact wherever he goes . CongressmanMaxwell Frost presented Maya and Honor Society , Mu Alpha Theta National Mathe - Veda with their awards . matics Honor Society , Rho Kappa National Social JhadassahRichardson Studies Honor Society and the National French FIORELLA PREP SCHOOL Tyson Williams Honor Society . With infectious curiosity DREAM LAKE ELEMENTARY and boundless enthusiasm , Sometimes , it takes more Kaylan Patel Richardson embodies the than just academic WINDERMERE PREP essence of a young scholar . prowess to truly succeed Windermere Prep senior Always the first to eagerly in the world after school , Patel is a National Merit raise her hand , she but that’s no concern for Scholar and will attend the approaches each lesson fifth - grade student University of Pennsylvania’s with unwavering determi - Williams . Recently , the Wharton School in the fall . nationand a thirst for knowledge . Whether it’s mas - savvy scholar placed Patel recently won the teringthe art of reading and phonics , or diving into eighth overall out of 360 in the Global Amazing Change Maker Junior mathematics , Richardson’s eagerness to learn knows Shake competition , which focuses on life’s soft Award , presented by Heart no bounds . Richardson also shines as a compas - skills and etiquette , such as a strong handshake of Florida United Way , along with a $ 5,000 dona - sionate friend — quick to offer a helping hand or a and ability to maintain appropriate eye contact . tion for his nonprofit , Lending Hands Global Foun - comforting hug to her classmates . Her empathy A real people - person , William placed first in the dation . The organization seeks to provide an array andkindness create a nurturing environment where Work the Room competition , where competi - of charitable services to low - income families aimed everyone feels valued and supported . tors aimed to make the most meaningful con - at building self - esteem and leadership skills to help nections within a half - hour . them pursue their dreams and move upward . Patel’s CarolineRotenberger first published book , Kobe’s World Adventure Book 1 , WALDEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Noah Reid is the first in a seven - book children’s geography Since enrolling at Walden THE GENEVA SCHOOL series . He has distributed more than 5,000 books to insixth grade , Rotenberger Inthe fall Reid will attend children throughout Florida with the goal of has become an important the University of Oxford increasing knowledge of geography among ele - member of her commu - to pursue an honors BA mentary school students . nity.Excelling academically in Classics & Asian and in all subject areas , Roten - Middle Eastern Studies . Zion Phillips berger also enjoys water - Reid is Geneva’s first stu - HILLCREST ELEMENTARY color painting , playing dent to take two lan - Quickly proving herself to the cello , reading , youth group , working on her guages at the same time — possess an incredible mind , GoldAward for Girl Scouts , recreational volleyball , Frenchand Greek — and has also studied classical kindergarten student crocheting , roller coasters , and spending time with guitar for over 10 years . He is also president of the Phillips earned an induction herfamily , friends and two cats . Unafraid of a chal - Junior Classical League ( JCL ) , member of the into Mensa , the oldest and lenge , in 2019 , Rotenberger started a small business , All - State Choir and Agon Team Captain . Reid largest IQ society in the Pets & Plants , that provides pet - sitting and plant - has also received a gold medal on the JCL world . Membership into care services for her neighbors . After high school , National Classical Etymology Exam and a silver Mensa is only available for Rotenberger will attend college , where she plans to medal on the National Roman Civilization those who test within the upper 2 % of the general pop - study architecture with a focus on theme park Exam . In addition to receiving 16 top awards at ulation through an approved and supervised IQ test . In design . regionaland state competitions , Reid placed first addition to her incredible intelligence , Phillips is an avid ( Greek Language ) , second ( Hellenic History ) reader and runs a YouTube channel dedicated to and third ( Greek Literature ) at the State Aca - sharing her love of reading with other children . demic Championship . Expanding her abilities , Phillips also plays piano and is learning to speak and read French . ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM july 2024 ORLANDO FAMILY 33

view text

input

view_module

keyboard_arrow_left

keyboard_arrow_right