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Beltran, Grantham, Rodriguez, Smidt honored

Four young women – Naomi Beltran, Leslie Grantham, Tammra Rodriguez and Tess Smidt – were honored at the Fallbrook Golf Club on March 6 for their outstanding performances in school and extracurricular activities.

The four differed greatly in their achievements, but all demonstrated the energy and drive that it takes to succeed.

“They are lights that shine in the community,” said emcee Sue Johnson. “They are all amazing young women.”

Naomi Beltran, a Fallbrook High School honors student, was given a testimonial by Chris Young of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), who sang Beltran’s praises through a letter.

Young has mentored Beltran for three years through the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program.

“She has great integrity and a spirit of giving. She accepts responsibility and follows through with commitment,” said Young.

Last year, Beltran worked with Rally for Children’s Arts in the Park and was only required to stay for two hours but remained the entire day.

Another AAUW member told the audience that Beltran is self-confident and a hard worker. Her mother is a single parent and Beltran learned her good work ethic from this hard-working woman.

Beltran has been accepted into the University of San Diego, where she will major in business, aspiring to be the owner of a childcare center.

Beltran loves gymnastics and knows what she wants and how to get it. She is enrolled in honors classes, including physics and chemistry.

“We have a very worthy young lady here,” said the AAUW representative.

Leslie Grantham is an outstanding Fallbrook High School student with a 4.46 GPA.

English teacher Pam Munro said, “Leslie is a champion. She is a quiet, decisive, brilliant young woman.”

Grantham is an AP Scholar and is taking college-level coursework. She is captain of the cross-country team and one of the captains of the track team.

She won the Coaches’ Award for cross-country and the Union Tribune All Academic Team Award.

Grantham has participated in the CROP Walk for several years and teaches Vacation Bible School at her church, where she is also a member of the bell choir.

Grantham aspires to be a Naval aviator and has been accepted into USC and UCSB. “She wants to fly,” said Munro, “and I really think that she already does. She is one of those amazing young people who made my world better.”

Her father mentioned that one of Grantham’s qualities is her heart of compassion, as demonstrated by her work with an autistic child in their church and her participation in mission trips to Mexico.

Her mother mentioned that Grantham is a hurdle runner and used that sport as an analogy for the expert way in which she faces and overcomes life’s challenges.

“She makes an investment in people,” her mother also noted.

Tammra Rodriguez has redefined what it means to be successful. She has a 4.0 GPA, a perfect attendance record, works as part of the clerical staff in a law office, maintains her own apartment, is a single mother and a Pure Tech Water volunteer.

She aspires to attend college and become a nurse.

Rodriguez was given a testimonial by Lisa Broomfield, principal of Oasis High School.

“Tammra made the decision to come to Oasis because she was expecting a child and got behind in school,” Broomfield mentioned.

The principal went on to say that Rodriguez has become a success and will graduate with her original class. “I am so impressed by her,” she said.

Rodriguez’ sister, Tracey, said that Rodriguez “has been through a lot in life and is an inspiration.” Her brother-in-law mentioned that Rodriguez “had a lot of obstacles growing up” and that they are very proud of her.

Jeff Allen, one of Rodriguez’ teachers, commented, “‘Education is the lighting of a fire,’ said William Butler Yeats, I can see that in Tammra. She is an exceptional person. She likes to come to school and likes to learn. She is a good employee, a good mother and a good student.”

Tess Smidt excels in many subjects and her goal is to obtain a doctorate. She plans to study physics in college and has been accepted at MIT and Cal Tech.

“Star Trek” is what spurred her interest in physics. “That’s where Tess learned to go warp speed,” her father said.

“She left me in the dirt in the sixth grade,” her father continued. “She takes anything she wants to do and does it.”

“She is absolutely brilliant,” said Munro. “Tess can do anything. I am so proud to be a part of her life.”

Smidt is a member of the Academic Decathlon Team as well as the FHS Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble. She also dances, sings and acts.

Mission Bay Yacht Club was where she served as junior social director and race committee member. She was chosen as a People to People Ambassador to England and France in 2006.

Smidt is the founder and owner of blondegeek.net, a Web site where she markets cleverly designed t-shirts.

Fallbrook High economics teacher Dave Evans said that Smidt is one of the brightest students he has come across.

Her mother said that it has been a “joyful ride” raising Smidt. Pat Stinson said Smidt has “star quality on the stage” and can do anything she sets her heart on.

The Fallbrook Community Student of the Month program is supported by members of the business and service community. Numerous organizations and elected officials award certificates of achievement and gift certificates to the honorees. Special keepsake medals are presented to the students by representatives of the American Legion.

 

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