Gilroy
– For three hard-working girls in Gilroy middle schools, a
recent recognition might not be unusual, but it is well timed.
Gilroy – For three hard-working girls in Gilroy middle schools, a recent recognition might not be unusual, but it is well timed.
The three students – Martha Diaz Espinoza of Brownell, Melissa Gjerde of Ascencion Solorsano and Dani Hemeon of South Valley – were among 64 students from Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties honored for their hard work, academic achievement and leadership at the 10th Annual UPS/Sharks Foundation 8th Grade Leadership award dinner earlier this month. The awards are a affirmation of the girls’ uniqueness, an important point as they prepare to enter the 2,400-student Gilroy High School in the fall.
On a mat spread over the ice in the middle of an empty HP Pavilion, the students ate a dinner with their families and principals. They were congratulated by the foundation’s heads, including San Jose Sharks right winger Mike Grier, from whom they were given a autographed hockey puck.
“It makes me feel good that it’s all paid off – all the homeworks and projects,” said Hemeon.
The South Valley student is the president of the associated student body this year and is a member of the cross-country, basketball, soccer and track teams. For her efforts in sports, she was named scholar athlete in sixth grade and athlete of the year in seventh grade.
Hemeon also cites her willingness to help fellow students in class as a reason why her principal nominated her for the award.
For Espinoza, the desire to help others is a motivating force. She helps new students – especially those that don’t speak English – find their way to class at the beginning of the year and in the classroom throughout the year.
“I like helping people with their problems,” she said.
To improve on this, Espinoza wants to become a lawyer. This life goal has driven her to become a better student and bring her grades up each year of middle school.
While Gjerde has never struggled academically – earning As in all her classes in middle school – she too feels helping others is a part of life.
“It feels really neat afterward that you helped put this all together,” she said.
The recognition has served to remind the students – soon to be competing with 2,400 others at the high school – that they are high achievers.
“I definitely feel prepared being recognized like this,” said Gjerde. “It feels really special.”
