School & Family Magazine Newstand Arlington Nov/Dec 2017 | Page 38

October 2017 Student of the Month
Samantha Velazquez, Arlington Collegiate High School
Samantha, a sophomore, is similar to many ACHS students in that
she applied to ACHS because she wanted to have a better educa-
tional opportunity than her parents did and she also wanted to set
a good example for her two younger siblings.
Samantha is now the most advanced sophomore in ACHS histo-
ry after earning college credit as an eighth grader by passing her
AP Spanish exam and adding six more college credits in ninth
grade. This semester, she is enrolled in 12 college credit hours in
addition to her traditional high school courses. Those college courses include U.S. history, sociology, fed-
eral government and college algebra. Next semester, Samantha will be enrolled in 10 college credit hours,
meaning she could possibly have 32 college credit hours before she enters 11 th grade.
Samantha’s academic success is truly amazing, but what sets her apart is her outstanding character. Her
teachers have said she’s honest, positive, possesses great integrity, remains humble, is always willing to help
others and is dedicated to putting in hard work to achieve excellence.
Samantha would like to attend Columbia University, New York University or the University of Texas at San
Antonio and major in psychology. She is destined to achieve great things!
November 2017 Student of the Month
Courtney Walker, Bowie High School
Courtney is a well-rounded student who is involved in multiple ac-
tivities, serving as a leader on campus as well as an active volunteer
outside of school at Bowie High School.
Courtney is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program at Bow-
ie, and she has served as a class officer for four years. She has partici-
pated in Youth Leadership Arlington, National Honor Society, Health
Occupations Student Association, Project SOAR, AVID, Delta/Academy
Gems and the University of Purdue Engineering Camp. Courtney is also
on both the Bowie varsity softball and cheerleading teams.
Even with her academic and extracurricular involvement, Courtney finds time to serve others at Mission Arlington
in the Medical Clinic, during Bowie Gives Back and Spookapalooza, through the Dallas Furniture Bank making
blankets, and at homeless shelters as a part of the Delta Gems and Dallas Salvation Army.
Always athletic and energetic, Courtney was diagnosed with scoliosis in fifth grade at West Elementary. Courtney
received treatment from the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital and had spinal fusion surgery on Nov. 28, 2011. She has
made a full recovery and has now become a spokesperson for Scottish Rite. Through this experience, Courtney
discovered she wants to enter the medical field as possibly an anesthesiologist or in orthopedic care.
Courtney would like to attend Howard University, Morgan State or Florida A&M. She is a shining example of the
great students at Bowie.
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Arlington School & Family