– Information courtesy of Aarika Sandlin, VCS Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support

Two students share the March Student Spotlight in Vance County Schools as young people whose exceptional qualities and contributions make a difference in their school communities.

Rawan Almuntsr, a kindergartner at L. B. Yancey Elementary and Isabella Jaimes Hernandez, a 5^th grader at Zeb Vance Elementary, demonstrate excellence in academics and show kindness to others, as well as a commitment to personal growth.

Rawan is celebrated for her warm character and her academic excellence. Rawan’s kindness shines brightly as she is always willing to lend a helping hand to her peers, uplifting words of encouragement to those around her and for sharing heartwarming hugs with her teachers, brightening everyone’s day. Rawan exhibits determination through her academic efforts and goals. She finds joy in participating in science experiments, as she loves to witness everything come to life. When she envisions her future, the excitement of becoming a doctor fuels her aspirations and dreams. Rawan appreciates learning in centers because they provide her with the opportunity to explore a wide variety of subjects.

Outside of school, Rawan enjoys watching the Disney television show, Bluey in her free time. If granted a superpower, she wants the ability to run incredibly fast so she can play tag and win. With a magic wand, Rawan wishes for her favorite candy —a watermelon lollipop. Rawan’s advice to her peers is to always prioritize doing the right thing and to remain dedicated to school, especially reading. She admires her mom for her unconditional love and support in all that she does, but she gives credit to Ms. Taylor Evans as her motivation to attend school. She shared that Ms. Evans’s kindness to her and all of her classmates is one of her favorite things about being at L.B. Yancey Elementary. An inspiration to all, Rawan is a shining light and a source of inspiration for the entire Bulldog family.

Isabella was recognized for her genuine spirit and commitment to lending a helping hand. Nominated by her 5th-grade teachers, Isabella embodies kindness and responsibility in all aspects of school. She is known for always supporting classmates and teachers. She consistently goes above and beyond to lend a helping hand. Isabella is a member of the Beta Club, as well as the Safety Patrol. She is dedicated to all that she does and extends compassion to those around her that need support. With a passion for sports, Isabella loves soccer and basketball. Inspired by the late Kobe Bryant, Isabella aspires to become a professional athlete.

She enjoys math class, specifically equations, as well as doing experiments in science class. She also enjoys both physical education and art, adding to her well-rounded personality. Her positive attitude and commitment to excellence have allowed her to be a great friend to many. Her advice to others is “Don’t give up, keep trying, and keep up with doing your work.” She also shared that as long as students keep trying, they will never fail! With a rooted passion for helping others, Isabella shared that she could see herself as a firefighter one day, adding to her selflessness and determination. When she is not busy with her studies or sports, Isabella enjoys reading graphic novels and watching her favorite show, Spongebob Squarepants.

Given the opportunity to have a superpower, Isabella would love to fly and, given a magic wand, she would love to visit Myrtle Beach. Isabella’s heartwarming personality, along with her dreams and positive outlook, make her a true inspiration to her peers as the Student Spotlight for Zeb Vance Elementary.