Templeton students recognized for academic excellence
The January 2014 Templeton High School Students of the Month with Featured Staff Member Tyler LaSalle stop for a photo prior to enjoying lunch at McPhee’s Grill.
Templeton High School (THS) celebrated academic excellence on Wednesday with a special lunch at McPhee’s Grill in honor of the January 2014 THS Students of the Month & Featured Staff Member.
The award winning students are nominated for academic excellence and achievement, in addition to demonstrating traits that foster scholastic achievement in all students. These traits include, but are not limited to leadership, work ethic, and citizenship.
The January 2014 THS Students of the Month in alphabetical order are: Sierra Bryant, Vanessa Soto, Nick Swank, and Mikayla Wells.
Senior Sierra Bryant (3.0 GPA) was nominated by THS Voc-Ag teacher Erin Thompson.
“Sierra Bryant is one of the most positive students I have ever encountered,” wrote Thompson. “She always assists her peers and works to mentor younger students.” “Sierra has natural leadership ability and others gravitate toward her because of this. She is an extreme asset to both our FFA Chapter and the community.”
Senior Vanessa Soto (3.75 GPA) was nominated by THS Voc-Ag teacher Erin Thompson. “Vanessa is extremely dedicated,” wrote Thompson. “As President of Templeton FFA, she works to ensure all chapter events are a success.” “She is also a very dependable student and one of the hardest workers in her endeavors beyond the classroom that I have ever witnessed.”
Senior Nick Swank (3.65 GPA) was nominated by THS Science teacher Jason Diodati. “I nominated Nick for his exceptional work in both physics and engineering,” wrote Diodati. “In physics, his projects have always been either the best in the class or the entire school, and his engineering work has also been of the highest quality.”
Junior Mikayla Wells (3.43 GPA) was nominated by THS Math Lab teacher Linda Halterman. “Mikayla is a hard worker in class and a great example to others,” wrote Halterman. “During her study period, she will pull out flash cards and start rewriting troublesome problems or ideas on the whiteboard to help her study.”
“She is always positive, gladly does anything asked and helps other students as well. Because she is honest and dependable, Mikayla is often sought out to help adults.” “She is a pleasure to have in class,” concluded Halterman.
THS Special Education Teacher Tyler LaSalle is the Featured Staff Member for January 2013. “Mr. LaSalle is in his 5th year of teaching at Templeton High School and runs the Learning Center for special education students, as well as supporting students within math courses on campus,” wrote THS Principal Andrew Cherry. “Moreover, Mr. LaSalle is a true team player. He is a true advocate for his kids, regularly participates in events that bring students and staff together, and is a THS Alumnus from the Class of 1998,” continued Cherry. “These are just some of the things that make Mr. LaSalle a valuable member of our THS family.”
“Before returning to teach at Templeton High School, Mr. LaSalle worked down in the San Diego area teaching special education for 4 years. He graduated from Cal Poly with a BS in Psychology. Currently, his favorite thing to do when not at work is hiking with his wife and two dogs.”
The THS Student of the Month recognition program is sponsored by Ian McPhee of McPhee’s Grill in downtown Templeton, and is coordinated / published by Soaring Eagle Press and its sponsors, in conjunction with the high school administration, teachers, and staff.
