Winner in Foreign Language on October 23rd, 2011
Sara, a senior, is an outstanding student who has a passion for foreign language and culture. She holds a 5.15 weighted grade point average and scored 29 on the ACT and 2090 on the SAT. Korean by heritage, she was born in the United States but lived in Seoul, South Korea for four years. While in Korea, she became proficient in the Korean language and has developed a love for the culture. During the summers after her freshman and sophomore years, Sara taught English in Seoul several hours each week. Sara’s knack for learning languages extends to the Spanish language as well. Always prepared, Sara is a leader in the classroom and is Co-President of the Spanish Club. She has combined her Spanish skills with a desire to promote awareness of and service to the Memphis Latino community. She has volunteered many hours at Casa Maria, Casa Vecino and Centro Comunitario Las Americas, where she tutors Latino students after school. Through her work at Casa Maria, the school’s Spanish Club earned a grant from State Farm enabling the club to purchase books and computer memory sticks for the program. In addition, Sara takes Chinese classes at the Memphis Chinese Language School. She used her skills as she traveled to China with the Confucius Institute Summer Bridges Program at the University of Memphis. Through the Tennessee Governor’s School for International Studies, Sara also studied Bengali. Sara has been inducted into the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Beta Club and Tri-M Music Honor Society. She has been named a National Merit Commended Student. She earned a Silver Medal on the National Spanish Exam three times. She is the senior class secretary and senior representative for the Diversity Club. She is a Youth Striving for Excellence tutor.
