Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe honors local teens

Eleven exceptional students from South Tahoe and George Whittell high schools were recently honored by Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe with the club's Young Women of Distinction Award.

They earned the "Young Women of Distinction" award for their exceptional academic achievements, leadership abilities, and community service. Each are awarded with a $25 gift card to either Gaialicious, Jaliscos, or Cold Water Brewery (a shout out to local women entrepreneurs), a certificate, and a pen with their name engraved. They are all also invited to attend the Elevated Leadership program hosted by Nicole Vandehurst.

From South Tahoe High School

Ridley Baker
Ridley Baker has earned over forty A+ grades during her high school career, and she will most likely be earning more before the year is up. Ridley is planning on attending a four-year university and has applied to Tulane, Boston University and various UCs. Mrs. Suglian, Ridley’s AP Calculus teacher stated, “Ridley is a student who never misses a beat! She pays attention to all the details and never fails to impress me with her attention to detail. She is consistently a solid math student. She is also friendly and kind, a pleasure to have in class.”

Phoebe Barkann
Phoebe Barkann’s teachers can’t get enough of her! While Phoebe earned a 4 on her AP US History test, she earned a 5 on her AP Spanish Language and will earn her Seal of Biliteracy at the end of the school year. Her AP Spanish teacher, Mr. Salcedo had this to say about Phoebe: Phoebe is a highly motivated and intelligent student, who strives to excel in all of her academic pursuits. She demonstrates a genuine interest in learning, one that goes far beyond simply achieving high scores for a grade. She has very positive relationships with her fellow classmates, and is able to encourage success in others, both through her own positivity and her sense of humor.

Giovana De Loia
Amazing doesn't even begin to describe this young woman. Her acceptance into the prestigious Columbia University speaks for itself. Giovana has a 4.6667 GPA. When asked about Giovana, Ms. Heidel exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, she's lovely. Giovana is an incredibly gifted writer who undoubtedly spends a lot of thoughtful hours writing and revising her work. Her conversations about character and author's purpose show a maturity and a wisdom rare in someone her age. She's really wonderful!” Good luck to Giovana in New York City next year!

Cristal Gomez
One of Cristal’s focuses during high school has been with it's theatre department. Mrs. Nivens sang her praises about Cristal: “Cristal has been a delightful addition to our Theatre Department. She always radiates a cheerful positivity and is willing to take on any challenge with sweet natured enthusiasm. When given a challenge she is always the most prepared, the most energetic and the most willing to jump in. She is the first to volunteer and always strives to do her very best, which is always wonderful indeed. I so very much wish this was a normal year so that everyone could share in her enthusiasm through a live performance.”

Destiny Hursch
Destiny Hursh has received only As all four years of high school, which is how she pulls off her 4.259 GPA and ranks 11th in her graduating class. Mr. Berkshire, her English teacher, enjoyed having Destiny in class: “She has a quiet, humble, but friendly demeanor that hides her academic dedication and skill. She's the kind of kid who comes into class daily, with a smile on her face, and quietly goes about the business of being great. No shouting, no gesturing, no rah-rah stuff, just quietly handles her work and does a great job.”

Mya Rossi
Mya is an ambitious and compassionate young lady who will do wonders for this planet and any organization that she chooses to be involved in. Upon graduation, Mya would like to major in Environmental Engineering and although she is undecided about which college she will be attending, USC and Berkeley are high on her list…two schools which would be very fortunate to have her. This is evident in the fact that she is ranked third in her class and has a GPA of 4.4. She certainly wowed Ms. Heidel who stated that Mya is “an incredibly talented writer. She definitely gives far more than 100 percent. Mya is really kind and a joy to teach.”

Stephanie Zepeda
Stephanie is a joy of a human being and her focus and determination will take her far in life. Stephanie would like to attend LTCC and transfer to a 4-year university shortly after that. Stephanie is in the process of taking Dual Enrollment Dental classes and will have her certificate upon graduation. She is not one to shy away from opportunity. Teacher Mr. Beavers raved about Stephanie: “What a bright, charming, kind, thoughtful, compassionate, and beautiful young woman. She asks such wonderful questions - the kind of questions that only someone with a warm heart and a sharp mind could ask.”

From George Whittell High School

Ava Campbell
Ava is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Key Club and has been the coordinator for our school blood drives. Ava has a tireless imagination and a lot of creativity due to her love for reading, which has inspired her to become a writer. She loves reading because of how it can immerse her mind completely in another world, how the characters start to feel like her friends, and the story starts to feel like home. She states that, “books will always be a refuge from the confinement of day-to-day life and writing shares this characteristic, however it is more unique and much more personal. I want to write a book that makes people feel the way reading makes me feel; as if I am part of the magic and adventure, not only an outsider looking in. I want to create something full of color, adventure, witty dialogue, honesty, and genuine meaning”. Ms. Black states, “Ava Campbell is very deserving of this accomplishment, she has proved herself impressive academically, athletically, and artistically. Ava is my only Ceramics 3 student this year. Her attention to detail and drive for perfection is evident in all of her work. She is a very talented artist and lovely young lady”.

Rubi Dionisio
Rubi Dionisio has been a student with DCSD since the 4th grade and has maintained a 4.650 GPA throughout her high school career with as many AP and honors classes as she could take. Rubi is a first-generation student and will be the 1st in her family to graduate high school and attend college. Ruby has faithfully attended Our Lady of Tahoe where she is the teen lead singer and has a beautiful voice. She also has volunteered for a number of fundraisers at church. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club. Ms. Black, her Art teacher states, “Rubi Dioniso is a fantastic student and one of the kindest and most genuine students. In the five years I have known her she has always been respectful. She is creative and fun to be around. Covid messed up last year's plans, but I still hope to incorporate her design into a mural for the school in the future”.

Rubi’s favorite subject in school has always been math. She likes the challenging problems she encounters in her AP Calculus AB class, which is the highest level of math at GWHS. She was introduced to computer science her freshman year and joined the MESA First Generation Engineering Summer Camp at the University of Nevada, Reno to explore the engineering field, which includes Computer Science. After attending the camp, she decided to pursue a degree in Computer Science. Ruby has applied to Stanford University, The University of Nevada, Reno and The University of Utah.

Catalina Wilson
Catalina Wilson has been a student with DCSD since kindergarten and has maintained a 4.493 GPA throughout her high school career. Catalina is a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club. She has played on the school’s varsity volleyball team and is also a captain for the cheer squad. Ms. Black her ceramic’s teacher states, “Catalina Wilson is an incredible young lady and a joy to be around. I have had the pleasure of having Catalina as a student almost every year. This year as one of my Ceramic 2 students. She is a very talented artist and it has been fun to watch her progress as an artist and develop into the smart creative person that she is today”. Catalina has the drive to persevere and succeed. Her plan for the future is to graduate from high school and attend the University of Nevada, Reno and pursue a degree in nursing with a BSN RN in nursing and to specialize in ICU.

Grace Wolski
Grace Wolski has been a student with DCSD since the 6th grade and has maintained a 4.675 GPA throughout her high school career with as many AP and honors classes as she could take. Grace’s previous school counselor states, “Grace is a very driven student who pushes herself academically. She has a natural intellectual curiosity and she is not afraid to be challenged and is always willing to put in the extra work needed to meet her goals”. Grace is a member of the Academic and Science Bowl Team as well as a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club and has participated in high school sports. She has volunteered for the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center Science Expo, where she led activities for younger students. She was also honored by the Sierra Nevada Society of Women Engineers as a recipient of the Women in STEM Achievement Award. Ms. Black her ceramic’s teacher states, “Grace Wolski impresses me with her amazing spirit and self-discipline. This year she is one of my Ceramics 2 students. She is bright and witty and her humor is something I really admire. Her artist statements have always been my favorite to read as they usually are brilliant short story fictions. She is impressive academically as well as artistically and I am sure she will do great in her future”. Grace has been accepted and plans on attending Boston College.

(Not pictured is Ava Campbell)