Meet Mylon, a eighth grader at St. Anthony Catholic school in NE Washington, DC.
Mylon came to St. Anthony in the fifth grade. Principal Michael Thomasian describes Mylon as “articulate, friendly, and ready to serve. He is helpful in and around the school while maintaining his grades.” Mylon is on the student council and participates in a school book club. He also participates in band and plays on the St. Anthony basketball team.
Outside of school, Mylon swims for an independent swim team; his favorite stroke is Butterfly. In his free time, Mylon likes to read, play video games and watch movies with friends and family. He is joined at St. Anthony by younger brother Myles, a sixth grader.
Mylon’s favorite subject is history because he says, “it’s interesting to learn about what effect the past has on the present.” He also enjoys science and, in particular, science labs where students get to experiment. Kind, very interesting and fun are the words Mylon uses to describe his school. In addition he adds, “we respect each other and take very seriously St. Anthony’s words that ‘actions speak louder than words’.”
Mylon is looking forward to beginning high school this fall. When asked about what career he might be interested in pursuing, Mylon responds, “If I don’t make it to the pros for basketball, I’ll go into sports medicine”.
One thing is clear, Mylon has the work ethic and determination to make it wherever he goes.
Waldo, an eighth grader at Sacred Heart School in NW Washington, DC is shooting for the stars, literally.
When he grows up, Waldo wants to be an astronaut. It’s a good thing then that his favorite subject is science, specifically physics.
Students at Sacred Heart, like Waldo, are fortunate that their school has a devoted science teacher, Mr. Michael Kelley, to encourage and support those who have an interest in the sciences. By his own choice, Waldo receives independent study assignments above any beyond regular science homework from Mr. Kelley.
Waldo has been at Sacred Heart since second grade. He is the oldest of five children, all of whom attend Sacred Heart. Each day the siblings walk to school from their home two blocks away. While Waldo loves his school, it has not always been an easy road. Sixth grade was difficult for him socially. Now, looking back, he says it taught him that, “if you keep on trying you can make it through the tough times.”
Waldo describes his school as good, prepared and safe. He wants people to know that Sacred Heart is “not just about academics but also spirituality.” While Waldo might not be heading into space soon, he is certainly ready for high school.
Maela is a seventh grader at St. Thomas More Academy in SE Washington, DC.
Unlike some girls her age, Maela possesses a quiet, yet confident demeanor. Perhaps such qualities are the mark a person grounded by their faith. Maybe it comes from eight years of education in the same safe and supportive environment, like Maela, who has attended St. Thomas More since Kindergarten. Whatever the answer, the end result is impressive.
Maela is a member of the St. Thomas More choir. She participates in the school’s dance ministry, also called liturgical dance. This year she plans to join the school’s drama club. It should come as no surprise to learn that at home, Maela enjoys singing and listening to music. Her favorite artists are Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce and Katy Perry.
While the performing arts are one area of focus in Maela’s life, academics are another. Maela’s favorite subject is Language Arts but she excels in all areas of school. Last year she was awarded a laptop by the school for maintaining straight A’s throughout the year.
When asked what expectations she has of God for her future, Maela says “I expect He will wake me up in the morning and continue to send me blessings.”
Imania is an eighth grade student at St. Francis Xavier Academy in SE Washington, DC.
One of her favorite subjects is Spanish, a language she practices speaking with her dad and with her grandmother in Spain.
In the summer of 2011, Imania was selected to be a Student Ambassador by People to People, an educational travel program. Imania and her fellow student delegates traveled through England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales for three weeks. Imania says that the experience was “amazing and really inspired me to want to travel more”.
Closer to home, Imania and her classmates learn about different cultures through an after school program organized by teachers at St. Francis Xavier called Living Classrooms. Guests are invited to the program and introduce students to the music, art, dance and customs of other countries.
As an alumna of the National Young Scholars Program, Imania was selected to attend the 2013 Presidential Inauguration as part of the Middle School Presidential Inauguration Conference.
St. Francis Xavier principal Dr. Gladys Camp says Imania’s greatest personal strength “is that she is a well-rounded student who is very focused on academic excellence.” Imania, participates in the St. Francis Xavier's guitar class. She has also taken on a leadership role teaching a group of guitar students in the lower grades.
Imania plans to attend Georgetown Visitation this fall. With impressive leadership experience already to her credit, it will be exciting to see what opportunities high school brings her way!