Dave Didier announced the Arroyo Pacific Academy student of the quarter (for Spring, 2010), and the Arcadia High School students of the month (one student for January and three for February, 2010). The honorees are as follows:  (1) Desiree Strong, Arroyo Pacific Academy’s Student of the Quarter for Spring, 2010 ; (2) Jared Contreras, Arcadia High’s Athletics Student of the Month for January, 2010; (3) Garrett Tuck, Arcadia High’s Athletics Student of the Month for February, 2010; (4) Julia Namkoong, Arcadia High’s Performing Arts Student of the Month for February, 2010; and (5) Lily Yin, Arcadia High’s Academics Student of Month for February, 2010.

(1) Desiree Strong (18) is Arroyo Pacific Academy’s Student of the Quarter for Spring, 2010.  (a) Desiree has a 3.34 GPA and is active in the hiking club, the dance club and the spirit squad.  (b) For the past two years she has been student body president, as well as president, secretary and treasurer in the Girl Scouts, and organizer of school dances.  (c) In addition to hiking and dancing, Desiree takes part in fashion shows, bake sales and preparation of “Spirit Day.” (d) Community activities include Girl Scouts, Adopt-a-family, the Autism Walk/Run event, the food drive, and Christmas Tree Lane.  (e) Her religious activities include attendance at St. Philip the Apostle Church and at the Confirmation Retreat.  (f) Hobbies include Hip Hop, working out, gymnastics, yoga, and baking.  (g) Her college aspirations include Cal. Poly Pomona, majoring in hospitality and restaurant management.  (h) She would like a career as a pastry chef.

(2) Jared Contreras is Arcadia High School’s Athletics Student of the Month for January, 2010. (a) Jared has a 3.2 G.P.A. (b) He is a member of the Chess Club. (c) Jared’s school activities include four years on the soccer team, and as a freshman on the football team.  (d) As a sophomore he was in the California Scholarship Federation. (e) He was also captain of the junior varsity soccer team and was named defensive most valuable player.  (f) Jared’s community activities include volunteering at Arcadia Public Library, and at the Foothill Unity Center.  (g) Recreational activities include (as well as soccer) basketball.  (h) Potential colleges include Daeman College (where he was offered a spot on the college soccer team), Concordia University, and Westmont College.  (i) Possible majors include Athletic Training and Journalism, looking towards potential careers as an athletic trainer or as a sports writer. 

(3)  Garrett Tuck  (17) is Arcadia High School’s Athletics Student of the Month for February, 2010. (a) Garrett has a 3.7 G.P.A. (b) He is team captain for both the baseball and football teams.  He was on the varsity baseball team for 4 years, and lettered on the varsity football team for 2 years.  (c) In community activities, for the past 4 years, Garrett helped at the Thanksgiving and Christmas food drives at the Arboretum . (d) In religious activities, he took part in confirmation classes at Holy Angels, preparing him for confirmation in the Catholic Church.  (e)  Garrett has not yet selected a college.  (f)  However, he plans to major in kinesiology, looking forward to a career as an athletic or personal trainer.

(4)  Julia Namkoong (18) is Arcadia High School’s Performing Arts Student of the Month for February, 2010.  (a) Julia has been active in both junior Rotary Interact and Rotary Interact.  (b) Julia also was on the orchestra council, serving as president, concert master and section leader. (c) On the yearbook, she was performing arts editor and graduates editor.  (d) In her sophomore, junior and senior years Julia was on the student council, serving as treasurer, ICC representative, Student Council Apache Commission historian, and a member of the Prom committee. (e) Clubs and Organizations include the Korean Club, A.L.L.I.E.S., and Destination Imagination. (f) Community activities include being a volunteer with Life Oasis Joy, serving the homeless breakfast in downtown Los Angeles, donating blood, and senior council recycling. (g) In music mentoring, Julia gave private violin lessons to First Avenue Middle School students.  She also participated as a volunteer in the Pilgrims Orchestra entertaining at churches, hospitals, senior centers and retirement homes. (h) Julia’s religious activities include (at Arcadia High) A.L.L.I.E.S.  and (at Life of Jesus Methodist Church) serving as Sunday school teacher, main pianist, youth group leader, senior center volunteer, praise team member, as well as showcasing talent shows on special occasions. (i) Hobbies include tennis, violin, photography, watching movies and rock climbing.  (j) Julia has not yet chosen a college, but anticipates her major to be communications (media, journalism).

(5)  Lily Yin (18) is Arcadia High Schools Academics Student of Month for February, 2010.  Lily moved to the United States from Taiwan in the summer of 2004.  After completing her first year at Dana Middle School, Lily received the 2005 Seventh Grade Student of the Year Award.  (a)  Lily is a “straight A” student with a perfect 4.00 (unweighted) G.P.A.  As such, she is enrolled in the National Honor Society and, the California Scholarship Federation. (b) Lily also speaks five languages (English, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, and French), and is a member of the French Club. Among community activities in this respect, Lily is involved in the Federal STARTALK Bilingual Docent Training Program. (c)  Lily’s high school leadership activities also include being 2009-2010 President of the Women’s Health and Issues Club,  (d) In Performing Arts, Lily led the Homecoming Assembly Performance.  (e)  At Arcadia High, Lily is Choreographer for the Senior Men and Women Service Organization. Lily participates in all styles of dance (international ballroom, Chinese folk dance, ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop).  She served as Ambassador of the American Chinese Dance Association, and as Dance Captain of the ACDA “Dance Theater.”  (f)  Lily performs in the Olympia Youth Orchestra, playing string and bamboo music, .  Lily plays six eastern and western musical instruments (piano, violin, flute, Chinese zither, bamboo flute, and Hulusi).  (g) In acting, as part of the Windchime Drama Club, Lily was the female lead in Act I of the “Four Seasons” drama.  (h) In Athletics, at the 2008 Synchronized Swimming Age Group Championships in Seattle, Washington, Lily won the National Championship for the 14-15 age group. (i) Lily was also the 2009-2010 Senior Leader of the Varsity Girls Golf Team, having previously on October 17, 2008 won the Hole-in-One Award. Other awards include the 2009 California Interscholastic Federation Championship, the 2008 and 2009 Pacific League Championship, the 2008 Tribe Award, the 2007 Coaches Award, and the 2007-2009 Scholar Athlete Award. (j) In the field of philanthropy, Lily participated in the High School’s Red Cross Club.  (k) In 2008 Lily was named Miss Teen Taiwan. (l) Lily’s college preference is the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.  Lily sees her future career as being either an educator or a Chief Financial Officer.