Two students share the spotlight, chosen recently as the Students of the Month at Escalon High School. Honorees were senior Gabriella Avalos and junior Hannah Murphy.
Gabriella received her nomination from teacher Alexa Gregorios.
“Gabriella is truly an excellent student in terms of academic abilities as well as her character and leadership skills,” said Gregorios. “I am able to recommend Gabriella due to her maturity, self-discipline, and positive attitude. Gabriella participates every day by contributing meaningful responses in discussion and writing, and she completes all assignments. She is a talented and opinionated writer, able to communicate effectively.”
A member of the Azores Band, she also played basketball her freshman year and ran cross country as a senior, as well as participated in track and field throughout her high school years. She served as varsity captain for track and field last year, earned MVP for defense in basketball her freshman year and also received a track and field leadership award as a junior. She also is a three-year Scholar Athlete.
“I would like to thank Ms. Gregorios for nominating me and helping me become a better writer,” Gabriella said. “Coaches throughout the years for teaching me that anything is possible when you work hard and focus on your goals and mom for teaching me to be a strong, independent young woman.”
Among her other activities, Gabriella has helped at the Van Allen Harvest Festival, California beach clean-up, worked in the snack bar for home football games, served as an assistant coach for Escalon Recreation rookie softball league and is involved in both Key Club and Interact Club. Other projects she has supported are Christmas on Main Street, FCA Walk for Water, Relay For Life, SF Walk for Multiple Myeloma and Mariah’s Memorial Dinner.
Junior Hannah Murphy was nominated for the Student of the Month honor by teacher Andrew Beam.
“Hannah has done a tremendous job the last two years in Psychology and AP Psychology,” Beam said. “Hannah has been the highest performing student this year in her AP class in terms of tests, essays, and assignments. She is active in the learning process, engages in conversation, and is one that the other students look up to. Hannah not only excels in the classroom but also the volleyball court where she is an All-League caliber player.”
A member of FFA and FCA, Hannah has played volleyball for Escalon all three years of high school and is currently playing for Rage Volleyball Club. She is on the Honor Roll with a 3.95 GPA and received a scholar athlete award and made TVL all league.
“I would like to thank my parents for making me the person I am today and pushing me to strive for success in both the classroom and on the court,” said Hannah.
Along with sports and honor roll recognition, Hannah received first overall team in the Chico State Agriscience Fair, as well as multiple other awards at UC Davis, Chico State, and Fresno State Agriscience Fairs. She also volunteered for three weeks at a Christian camp, Frontier Ranch, in Santa Cruz.
The Escalon Sunrise Rotary Club sponsors the high school student recognition program and honors the selected students at a morning breakfast meeting of the club.
