Student of the Month Ponderosa 2021-2022

Congratulations to the Students of the Month from Ponderosa High School for the 2021-2022 school year!

Brady Barrow, April Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School

Posted on Apr 22, 2022

From the left: Teacher Kayla Diaz, Rotarian Linda Kamerling, Ponderosa Student of the Month Brady Barrow and her grandfather.

Congratulations to Brady Barrow, the April Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School! The focus of Brady’s involvement at Ponderosa has been through theater and related activities. She started the Speech and Debate Club and currently serves as co-president. She is also the Varsity Captain of the Improv Troupe and has lettered twice in theater. As a staff member commented, “Brady is very passionate about theatre and the community it creates. I have enjoyed watching her continue to grow as an actress, singer, and comedian.” She also participates in Link Crew, National Honor Society and No Place for Hate at Ponderosa.

Brady also serves the larger community, with 100 hours with Colorado State Thespians and additional service with St. Baldricks for childhood cancer and Meals on Wheels.

Brady plans to attend Depaul University in Chicago, Illinois to study Comedy Arts (comedy writing, directing, and acting) with a possible minor in psychology. We wish you all the best in your special mission to bring laughter, Brady!

For links to other Student of the Month stories, click here.

Nicholas Orlandino, March Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School

From the left: Ponderosa science teacher Alyson Fritz, Ponderosa Student of the Month Nicholas Orlandino, Rotarian Steve Budnack, parents Michelle and Anthony Orlandino

We congratulate Nicholas Orlandino, the March Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School. Nick currently serves as the co-president of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) at Ponderosa, where he was praised for his enthusiasm and collaborative work. Teachers describe him as a great student and an even better person. He also serves the larger community through Ave Maria Catholic Church.

Nick plans to attend the University of Northern Colorado to major in business, with the goal of entering the US Army after graduation.

For links to other Student of the Month stories, click here.

Mike Parker, Ponderosa HS Student of the Month for February

We congratulate Mike Parker, the February Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School. Mike joined us for our February 10 Zoom meeting; he was accompanied by Dana Swanson, English teacher and Natalie Munoz-Garcia, Assistant Principal.

Mike is involved in Ponderosa with activities ranging from band/winter percussion to National Honor Society and PeaceJam. He has assumed leadership roles as part of the Ponderosa Activity Cabinet and by helping to plan the 2018 and 2019 Continental League Diversity Conferences. He also cares for his fellow students through his involvement with Sources of Strength and Link Crew. Mike has volunteered at the PACE Center. As one of his teachers noted, “His desire to help and serve others does not supersede his success in academics. Mike challenges himself to be an exceptional student.”

Mike plans to attend the School of Visual Arts in New York City to study photography. Mike shared this self-portrait with us, part of the portfolio he submitted to the School of Visual Arts. We encourage you, Mike, in your goal to use your art to embark on change and mold the upcoming generations!

For links to other Student of the Month stories, click here.

Jackson Engels, January Student of the Month for Ponderosa HS

Congratulations to Jackson Engels, the January Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School! Jackson serves the Ponderosa community as president of the Technology Student Association and vice-president of Mu Alpha Theta (mathematics honor society) at Ponderosa. He has also participated in robotics competitions. In addition, Jackson has lettered in rugby all four years. Jackson has served the larger community by running a Scout camp, planning a retreat for youth at his church, and going on a humanitarian mission to Puerto Rico.

Jackson hopes to attend the US Naval Academy with the goal of studying nuclear engineering and eventually serving on a submarine. We wish you all the best, Jackson.

For links to other Student of the Month stories, click here.

Lydia Seese, December Student of the Month for Ponderosa

Pictured from left to right: Parents Job Seese and Marion Hufford, Ponderosa High School Student of the Month Lydia Seese, Teacher Jennifer Cormier, Rotarian Linda Kamerling

Congratulations to Lydia Seese, the December Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School! Lydia serves the Ponderosa community in a wide range of capacities. She is currently president of both DECA and the National Honor Society at Ponderosa, and mentors younger students who participate in DECA. In addition, she plays varsity and club volleyball. As one Ponderosa staff member noted, “Regardless of how busy [Lydia] is, she takes the time to lift others up and acts a servant leader, consistently bettering the community around her.”

In line with her interest in a future medical career, Lydia volunteers at Children’s Hospital on the weekends.

Lydia is currently applying to colleges, many on the East Coast, with plans to major in biomedical engineering with an eventual goal of becoming a neurosurgeon. We wish you all the best, Lydia!

For links to other Student of the Month stories, click here.

Megan Braun, November Student of the Month for Ponderosa

Pictured from left: Rotarian Mike Oldham, teacher Gary Cordray, Ponderosa Student of the Month Megan Braun, parents Michelle and Allan Braun

We congratulate Megan Braun, who has been selected as the November Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School. Megan serves the Ponderosa community as a Link Crew leader, as secretary of FBLA and as a member of National Honor Society. Teacher Gary Cordray commented on Megan’s willingness to speak up and contribute in class in an era when students are concerned about online retribution. She was also praised for how she “sets a positive tone and contributes to a sense of community in her classes.”

Outside of school, Megan is an avid equestrienne and recently placed 3rd in the world at the American Quarter Horse Association competition. She has also volunteered over 120 hours at the Elizabeth Stampede.

Megan hopes to pursue a career in medicine after college.

For links to other Student of the Month stories, click here.

Ainsley DeLockroy, Ponderosa Student of the Month for October

From the left: Ponderosa teacher Jennifer Cormier, Student of the Month Ainsley DeLockroy, parents Brett and Terra DeLockroy and Rotarian Linda Kamerling.

Congratulations to Ainsley DeLockroy, October Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School! Ainsley joined us at the October 14 meeting, accompanied by her parents and Ponderosa teacher Jennifer Cormier.

As teacher Jennifer Cormier notes, “Ainsley is kind, compassionate, intelligent, hard working, and never self-serving…[she demonstrates] all the traits of a servant leader including a tireless work ethic, compassion for those around her, a commitment to excellence, and a strong drive to serve and better her community. Ainsley serves Ponderosa as a cabinet member for FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), a co-sponsor of Sources of Strength and secretary of National Honor Society. She is also a state officer and district representative for DECA, a business and marketing organization. As Cornier notes, “In this role, she actively leads not only the 150 members of the Ponderosa chapter, but also over 5,0000 students across Colorado.” Ainsley has also served Parker as a volunteer for Comcast Cares and she has been named the volunteer of the month for SECOR.

Ainsley plans to study health care administration before going on to law school. We wish you the best in your future endeavors, Ainsley!

For links to other Student of the Month stories, click here.