Who should be named PNJ’s Student of the Week? Cast your vote

Pensacola News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
| Pensacola News Magazine

Welcome to the Pensacola News Journal’s Student of the Week poll.

Escambia and Santa Rosa County’s best and brightest high schools are spotlighted each week, with readers choosing the student they believe best deserves the top honor. All students in the weekly survey are nominated by school officials who know their academic performance better than anyone.

Just being on the list every week is an incredible achievement.

Each school district may nominate up to six students each week, but is not required to nominate a specific number.

This week’s poll features eight candidates for one top student of the week. Vote: Scroll to the bottom of this article.

The poll is posted every Tuesday on pnj.com and voting ends each week on Friday at noon.

Vote for the best of the best. Below are all nominees.

Pine Forest High School – Justice Hestle

Judge Hestle, 12^e figure: Justice works hard and is always polite and respectful in class. Has a 98 percent attendance rate and is a positive person in all her classes.

J.M. Tate High School – Joseph Yasurek

Joseph Yasurek, 12^e figure: Joey is a great young man. He is a leader in JROTC and also helps with TV production. He also often volunteers for many other programs. He is kind, respectful and a role model/mentor to the underclassmen. One of Tate’s teachers said, “I haven’t taught him since his freshman year (he’s a senior now), but he makes a point of stopping by my room every day and saying hello. When he was in my class, he always tried his best and asked questions if he didn’t understand. Overall, he’s just a great person!”

Success Academy – Adrianna Lee

Adrianna Lee, 11^e figure: Adrianna is a hard worker and a very polite student. She has been on track all year and should easily reach her goals by the end of the year.

West Florida High School – Caleb Murphy

Caleb Murphy, 11^e figure: Caleb is a member of the WFHS electric car design and racing team that qualified for FPL’s Regional Electrathon competition in Jacksonville. In addition to helping build and design the car, Caleb also piloted the car and never had to pit, a feat in itself as professional drivers and more experienced teams could not accomplish this. Since this is WFHS’s first year fielding a team, its achievements are more impressive.

Escambia High School – Sierra Wilkes

Sierra Wilkes, 11^e figure: Sierra is an 11th grade student at Escambia High School with a GPA of 3.9. Sierra has demonstrated exceptional dedication to her studies and has consistently excelled in a wide range of subjects. As a student enrolled in AP Art History, AP Computer Science, Chemistry Honors, AP US History, AP English, Algebra 2 Honors, Latin, and Theater, Sierra exemplifies a well-rounded academic profile. Sierra is currently enrolled in AP Art History and AP Computer Science online through the Florida Virtual Academy. She currently has an A in both classes, which is a pretty impressive achievement for a class in which she basically works alone. In Chemistry Honors, Sierra strives to thoroughly understand each concept and her understanding of the material is so great that she tutors her fellow classmates. In AP English, the teacher said: “Sierra is wonderful, erudite, creative, diligent and brilliant. She performs consistently and is among the best of my scholars (100% grade), and both her personal character and her daily behavior are unquestionable.” In the field of Latin, Sierra is one of the best Latin students in the country thanks to her gold medal at the National Latin Examination. Sierra also spent countless hours learning about Roman customs and memorizing and performing a passage in Latin in preparation for the state competition. Her efforts were rewarded with a 1st place in both categories. Additionally, Sierra’s involvement in theater highlights her creativity and collaborative spirit. Both on stage and behind the scenes, she demonstrates leadership and a genuine passion for the performing arts. Sierra has demonstrated advanced skills and passion for each subject and has impressed her leaders with her eagerness to learn and curiosity. Overall, Sierra’s academic achievements, coupled with her commitment to extracurricular activities, make her a deserving candidate for Student of the Week. She is a source of inspiration for her colleagues.

Booker T. Washington High School – Lindsey Lawrence

Lindsey Lawrence, 12^e figure: Lindsey single-handedly organized the SGA 5K Charity Race, which raised $10,000 for Communities Caring at Christmas. She is also the President of Student Government and the producer of the BTWHS morning news. Lindsey works hard to help others and always does so with a smile on her face.

Pace High School – William “Will” Koger

William ‘Will’ Koger, 12^e figure: Will has completed over 65 service hours through BETA Club this school year. He currently has a weighted GPA of 4.7 (unweighted 4.0) with a strict schedule including biotech, dual enrollment, and AP courses. Will is involved in several extracurricular activities and works as a line cook in Pensacola when not in school. Recently, Will represented Santa Rosa County as a member of the team that competed in the 37th Commissioner’s State Academic Challenge, placing third in the state.

Navarre High School – Giselle McLaughlin

Giselle McLaughlin, 10th grade: Giselle is on the basketball team and flag football team and was also recently inducted into the National Honor Society. Not only is she athletic and intelligent, but she also led the state flag football team at the Raider Games and works exceptionally well with the ESE population of all ages. She is an outstanding young woman!