Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

4/29/08

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School District's Board of Directors Honors
Eighth Grader Cecilia Soltero

The Auburn School District Board of Directors recognized Cecilia Soltero, an eighth grader at Mt. Baker Middle School, for being an outstanding student on Monday, April 28, at 7 p.m. in the board room at the James P. Fugate Administration Building.

Cecilia Soltero epitomizes the definition of “overachiever”—defined as “one who achieves success over and above the standard or expected level especially at an early age.” Moving from California to Auburn in sixth grade, Cecilia transitioned at a critical age and made the most out of a new situation. According to her social studies and language arts teacher Mr. Warring, “Cecilia has made Mt. Baker her own and really capitalized on her leadership strengths. She gets along with everyone.”

As ASB student body president, Cecilia’s ability to reach out to all students is a very welcoming quality. Cecilia is a natural-born leader. “If there’s a group of 20 student-leaders who are all intelligent and motivated, Cecilia will be the one to step up and organize the group,” remarks Mr. Warring. As student body president, she also reads morning announcements, setting the pace for the entire day with her enthusiasm; plans major pep assemblies; recruits teachers and students for participation in school activities; and more.

Cecilia is passionate about people in general and thinks about what she can do for others. For example, Cecilia’s social studies class recently discussed the pros and cons of the Declaration of Independence. According to Mr. Warring, Cecilia was frustrated because non-white males weren’t included, so she decided to write a five-page essay about the things that were wrong with it and how they could be corrected. “She did this on her own initiative because she felt so passionate about it,” says Mr. Warring.

Cecilia’s passion most likely bubbles over from her passion for her family. She is very family-oriented and helps her younger siblings whenever possible, including helping her younger sister sell her troop’s share of Girl Scout cookies. Cecilia is also the proud sister of newborn twins.

Academically Cecilia is a 3.9 GPA standout. According to her teachers, she consciously seeks out opportunities to go above and beyond the average. Currently she is taking an Algebra class with a group of very high achieving students. Ms. Scott, Cecilia’s math and science teacher, applauds Cecilia for her tenacity and willingness to ask questions if she doesn’t understand. One of her favorite subjects is science, and she wants to be a medical doctor. “Cecilia is very excited to enroll in high school biology,” says Ms. Scott. In fact, Cecilia came up with a laundry list of what she wants to do in high school, including six academic classes, with her elective being biology. Mr. Warring asked Cecilia, “When are you going to sleep?”

Cecilia also plays the violin in Mt. Baker’s orchestra and recently tried out for the volleyball squad. “The wheels are always turning with Cecilia; you can always tell she is engaged and into whatever learning is taking place,” smiles Ms. Scott.

For more information contact Amy Spence, public information officer, at 253-931-4713.