One senior and three juniors were chosen recently for recognition in the Escalon Sunrise rotary Club’s Student of the Month program.
Senior Audrey Orr, along with juniors Dakota Stagno, Natalie Bianchi and Adilene Alvarez Martinez were singled out for the honors.
Audrey Orr was nominated by Sara Villines, who noted that she always has a positive attitude in class and doesn’t hesitate to help other students, in and out of the classroom. She is involved in activities on campus ranging from the Cougar Chronicles to the yearbook, band and clubs, while maintaining an A average, including in her AP classes.
“I would like to thank my parents and grandparents for their continued support,” said Orr. “Also Mrs. Villines for this nomination and all my other teachers for helping me obtain the knowledge I have today.”
Orr has served as ASB secretary, is a member of Key Club, Visual and Performing Arts Club and CSF. She is a jazz band member, has received academic awards in Ag Bio and journalism, and the Golden Cougar award her freshman year in band. She serves as editor of the school newspaper and attends St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oakdale.
Junior Dakota Stagno was nominated by George Megenney, indicating that she has “consistently shown a desire to strive for excellence” within his English class during the school year.
“She goes above and beyond to be organized, to try to understand the various concepts and ideas that are discussed, to persist in improvement of her skills and demonstrate learning,” Megenney said. “Although Dakota began the school year with a bit of a chip on her shoulder, a little bit of patience and willingness to discuss ideas and understand her views quickly changed the tone into one that has been positive and forward looking.”
An FFA member who represented Escalon FFA at field days for AgriScience, she also assists with adaptive PE, is a member of a church through which she does community service work and she also has earned a state degree in FFA and won first place in her weight class for pigs at market.
Megenney added that she is a good role model for her peers.
“I would like to thank my mom and grandparents, boyfriend and Mrs. Terpstra, Mr. Megenney and Mr. Rovig because they encourage me to do my best in all my classes and to be the best person I can be,” Stagno said. “Each of these people has shown me support, respect and a lot of encouragement. I love each of these people because of their constant support.”
Teacher Andrew Beam provided the nomination for junior Natalie Bianchi, who classified her as an “outstanding individual” who brings a great attitude to class every day.
“Her energy is contagious and as a group leader you see it reflected in those she leads,” Beam said. “She is highly involved in both athletics and our FFA program. She shows a great ability to handle a multitude of activities while still being one of the most outstanding students in her class.”
An Escalon FFA member and year-round volleyball player, she is also employed at Modesto Milling and is captain of the 18s Double Trouble travel volleyball team as well as playing for EHS. She has earned the FFA State Degree Award, Star Chapter Farmer and many contest awards and is president of the FFA this year. She has been a scholar athlete and plans to play volleyball in college.
“I would like to thank my parents for always supporting me and pushing me to strive for my goals, which has made me a strong, independent person,” Bianchi said. “Also Mr. Beam, my teacher and friend who has nominated me for this award. He has not only made me a better student but a better athlete as well.”
A group of four nominated junior Adilene Alvarez Martinez for recognition, pointing to her continued academic growth. She has been in the English Language Development Program at EHS for the past three years and came to California from Mexico in fifth grade. She has worked hard in the ELD program and at the same time worked toward getting university requirements completed so she can move on to college.
She tested out of the ELD program by passing the state CLEDT test and also having a cumulative GPA of 3.33.
“I would like to thank my parents for everything and always being there for me,” Martinez said. “I want to make my family proud of me and I am trying my best to accomplish that. Also Mrs. Villines, Mrs. Flores and Mrs. Ramirez for always being there for me and pushing me to continue. Thank you to everyone that has helped me to realize my dreams and for always having the right advice. I am so thankful to have you all in my life.”
The foursome of Alina James, Sara Villines, Margarita Flores and Angelica Ramirez provide her nomination.
All four students were recognized at a breakfast meeting of the Escalon Sunrise Rotary Club.
