Whiz Kids - Sophia, Kate and Erin

Kate Wohlford, Erin Silva and Sophia Olson will end their John Swett Elementary (JSE) school years as speakers at this Friday’s JSE 5^th grade promotion.

They were chosen to speak based on an assignment given by their teachers, Melissa Stephenson and Brenda Navarro.

According to Mrs. Navarro, the assignment was for the 75 5th grade students to write a speech about their time at John Swett. Specifically, they were to share memories that all could identify with. They put their student number on their work instead of their name so that the judging would be anonymous. Each teacher then read the speeches for content and picked several that were exceptional.  

“We gave these to Mrs. Pampe (principal) and Mrs. Buccellato (office manager) to read. They picked what they felt were the best of the best without knowing who wrote them,” she said.

Kate, Erin and Sophia have spent their years at John Swett soaking up the opportunities provided to them inside and outside of school.

Kate played one of the lead roles in this year’s production of the Missoula Children’s Theater at John Swett. She also participates in the Willows Childrens’ Theater program and dances competitively with Dance Connection Performing Arts Center in Concord.

"Kate is a terrific writer! She always puts a lot of voice and enthusiasm in her essays which makes her work fun to read,” Mrs. Stephenson said. "I have had the pleasure of having Kate both in third grade and in fifth grade. I am extremely proud of the way her writing and speaking skills have developed over the years!"

Erin and Sophia, students in Navarro’s class, are officers of the school student council and have worked to organize several charitable events at school, such as the Turkey Trot, and the winter food drive. They also are soccer players, playing for the Martinez Pleasant Hill Futbol Club.

According to Mrs. Navarro, “These two young ladies are exceptional students.  They not only work extremely hard to accomplish their work, they help others, and are positive role models. They are intelligent and sincere, and always have a smile for me in the morning. I can't wait to hear their speeches!”

These millennium babies began their friendship as kindergarteners at JSE in 2005; two were in the same class and they met the third at their first Daisy Girl Scout Troop meeting early in the school year.  They just completed their sixth year in Girl Scout Troop 30603.

They, along with the rest of their class, will be heading to Martinez Junior High in the fall.