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Steven Benavides
Western International
High School |
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Steven Benavides attends Western International High School and carries a 3.75 GPA. He is the captain of two varsity sports and chooses to "lead by example more than barking out orders". When asked to describe an academic challenge Steve cites his first year of high school. "Freshman year is not anything I am particularly proud of. I possessed study habits that were less than extraordinary and my 3.0 GPA reflected it." He decided to work harder, gave up TV, chose homework over hanging out with friends and finished his sophomore year with a 4.0 GPA. Since then he has carried a 4.0 every semester, passed all his Advanced Placement tests, the MEAP test and recorded the highest ACT score at Western International. "Although personal success is important my ultimate goal is to give back to my community" Steven says. He volunteers for St Anne's Church, Habitat for Humanity, Detroit Makeover, Summer in the City and other clean up projects. He plans to attend the University of Michigan next fall with dual majors, Business and Engineering.
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Danielle Czimer
Notre Dame
Preparatory School
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Attending Notre Dame Preparatory School Danielle Czirmer carries a remarkable 4.17 weighted GPA. With numerous honors and Advanced Placement classes, Danielle receives Notre Dame's highest honors designation yet still takes time to volunteer at St Andrews/St Vincent de Paul, Pontiac Soup Kitchen, Rochester Community House and others. She plans on attending the University of Michigan next fall with an undeclared major. Her academic interests include journalism and psychology. On community service Danielle says "it's important to help out one's own community. I may not always enjoy every part of helping out but people appreciate it and I always gain something out of the experience". She credits her family with her success saying "my parents have pushed me to work hard for what I want, to strive for the best, to not give up and to try everything".
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Elizabeth Guel
Pontiac Northern
High School
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Elizabeth Guel attends Pontiac Northern High School and carries a 3.06 GPA. She would like to attend Oakland University and major in business. Eventually she would like to become a CPA. Working 20 hours a week to help out her family, she still takes time to be involved with the Latino Club and the Wade McCree Scholar Program at Northern. French Department Chair, Marie VanTassel, describes Elizabeth as a "caring, self-directed student who is a role model for others at Northern". Elizabeth credits her parent's strong influence for her success thus far. They are "two of my role models and raised me to be honest, trustworthy and responsible".
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Karima Ledezma
Waterford Mott
High School
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Karima Ledezma volunteers for the Positive Peer Influence program at Waterford Mott High School. As a Mediator, she works to resolve conflicts between students and avoid violence. Being bi-lingual, she is able to help the Hispanic students in the program but works to understand all sides of any conflict. She says "I have learned a lot in this program and I know I will take it wherever I go". Karima is planning to attend Wayne State next fall and work toward a career in Dentistry. With a 3.53 GPA at Waterford Mott, Karima continues to challenge herself with a rigorous course load in AP classes. "I want to be the best I can be" she says. Her English teacher and recommender echoes "Karima has very lofty goals and works hard for them, I am proud to know her".
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Nathan Milety
Western International
High School
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Western International High School has produced another outstanding scholar in Nathan Milety. Nathan carries a 3.5 GPA at Western International with a course load heavy in Advanced Placement Math and English classes. His goal is to attend the University of Michigan and become a mechanical engineer. Nathan is involved in numerous sports including football and tennis yet maintains his focus on his academics. With four Advanced Placement courses his senior year Nathan says "Classes have never challenged me as they have this year, I have had to take time off football and tennis practice to keep up with the workload". His role model is his father who is an automotive engineer despite having never graduated from High School. Nathan states "this constantly reminds me that hard work really does pay off".
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Cesar Torres Lugo
Cesar Chavez
High School
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Cesar Torres Lugo attends Cesar Chavez Academy in Detroit where he carries a 3.92 GPA. He would like to attend Michigan State University next fall and major in Pre-Law. Besides Law his other academic interests include Physics and Medicine. Cesar was born in Mexico and credits his family's strong support for much of his success. He volunteers his time to help at St Anne's Church, his school and with the elderly in his neighborhood. "It makes me feel like I made a difference in my community, whether it's picking up my neighbors leaves or reading simplified lectures of the Bible, it makes a difference in someone's life". |
