Hercules Star Student Is Passionate About Science

HERCULES, CA — Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages and at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize Star Students, and we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding kids to their neighbors.

This submission comes from Jamela Smith-Folds who nominated Irish, a high school senior of Hercules.

Star local student’s name

Irish

Star local student’s home state

California

How do you know the star local student?

I am her mom, her mentor, and school board trustee

Why do you believe the star local student should be recognized?

Irish has been a scholar since the day she was born. Up until COVID she had perfect attendance in Elementary and Middle School. She had Covid in September and it was her first time missing school in high school for more than a day. She is determined to get everything the educational system has to offer. She studies when it is required and during the times she could be doing other things. School is her sport. She trains for it. She has a 4.0 GPA. She is a tutor. She is a scientist through and through. She is co president of the Hercules High School environmental club. She has started compost programs. She took her summer to work on a research paper for an Ivy League professor. She can be seen walking around examining everything from the birds in Hercules to the moss on the trees. She is a dependable student that even her teachers ask science questions too. She is quiet and not the prom queen or the most popular kid but everyone knows her because she is brave enough to be her authentic self. She is a kid who is okay not being in the front. She is a blessing to all of those who meet her. She is shy and introverted but she is also creative and passionate about making a difference in the world of science.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star local student?

She is comfortable being uncomfortable in high school because she knows that it’s a necessary stepping stone and even if her experience is not like what is on tv, it will not be a stumbling block.

Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future, Irish!

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Know an outstanding student?

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