We have selected Jessica Rosell, a freshman at Creative Connections Arts Academy as being extraordinary in trying to create change and unite students. Jessica is an innovator and is continually coming up with ideas to make our school a safe and caring community. Jessica started a group called "Be the Change" and has come up with several other group ideas for next year. She stands up for other students when they are being mistreated or bullied. Overall Jessica is a very caring and considerate young woman who wants to make a difference in our world.

Hadley has turned her compassion into a group of students committed to reaching out to others. She will request schedules of students who are isolated or bullied. Then her group will strategically make sure someone talks to them in each class and they are never sitting alone. She organized this group and has successfully kept the work going throughout the school year.

Victoria is an excellent student that always has a smile on her face. She is friendly to everyone and is always willing to offer help, suggestions, ideas, and/or a hand to those in need. Victoria goes above and beyond at all times in all situations and is admired by all those that know her!

Cheyanne is someone that goes out of her way to make others feel good about themselves. Especially those who need the reassurance the most. I have witnessed her go up to kids who sit alone at lunch and strike up a conversation. She displays so much empathy for such a young lady. She is kind and generous. Her calm nature makes it very easy for kids to talk to her. This year I started a brand new club on campus called the ASPCA. (American Society for the Prevetion of Cruelty to Animals) Cheyanne had been so passionate about helping animals ...

Erica is an intelligent, responsible and motivated student. She comes to school everyday and always ready to learn. Erica is genuinely interested in helping her classmates and shares her great ideas with a great positive attitude. She is an active student and involved in a variety of activities like MY WAVE CLUB and other schools monthly activities program. I believe that she will continue to grow because of her devotion towards her studies shows an excellent performance.

Brianna is the student leader for our Air Bands Concert and has designated The San Diego Burn Center as the recipient for this fundraiser. The profits will go to: “Camp Beyond the Scars’ scholarship fund to send kids who have been burned to camp. Brianna was severely burned as a child and knows how important camp is to the healing process in a child’s life.

Stephanie helped establish and volunteers regularly in Circle of Friends at Lewis. This program matches Special Needs students with regular education peers to create understanding of differences and develop feelings of acceptance. She’s an Honor Roll student, active in D.A.R.E. (drug awareness resistant education), dance, and a drama ministry. Stephanie is unpretentious and exudes genuine kindness. She models the point that “everyone can be a winner”.

Our difference maker is Gavin Henderson. He is the president of our Leadership Academy and excels all areas of academics and extracurriculars. Gavin is a natural leader, leads by example and always follows through. If he says he is going to do something, he does it and does it well. Gavin is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in and makes it a point to stand up for others. - Wilikinia Vasquez

Stephen has terrific interpersonal skills and compassion in supporting and leading others in a positive direction. Stephen’s empathy and understanding for others is extraordinary. He was selected to be a Peer Counselor due to his outstanding listening skills and genuine character. In addition to holding high esteem with his peers, Stephen also earned the faculty’s utmost respect by always being responsible, caring, mature and polite. These are just a few of the reason why the counseling team has selected Stephen Azubuike as our difference maker for the 2010-2011 school year.

Megumi Yoshino, a 3rd grader from Ms. Kim’s class, is respectful and considerate. She makes a sincere effort and works hard in class. She also displays an enthusiasm for learning. Megumi values people by encouraging them to voice their feelings and truly enjoys being in class every day. It is a pleasure to have her in my class. Congratulations, Megumi!