New York City Star Student Is 'Sensitive, Brave, Inclusive'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK — New York is full of bright, driven young people making a difference in and out of the classroom. That’s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight students excelling in academics, athletics and community service.

This submission comes from Evy Fung who nominated Zaylee of New York.

If you know a student who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them to be featured as a Star Student on Patch.

What is the star student’s name?

Zaylee

What grade is the student in?

8th

How do you know the star student?

Daughter

Tell us about your star student's accomplishments and why they deserve to be recognized on Patch!

I am honored to nominate my daughter for recognition! She goes to Ella Baker School in Manhattan. She joined the 8th grade this year after transitioning from a charter school due to some administrative changes — the reasons behind the move are less important than what has unfolded since. Adjusting to a new environment is never easy, and she faced her fair share of struggles during the transition. But through it all, she stayed grounded in who she is — someone who deeply values inclusion, connection, and fairness. From the beginning, she looked not only to find her place but to help others find theirs too. There were some complex dynamics in her new classroom — social gaps, misunderstandings, and barriers that made it hard for some students to feel seen or connected. But instead of stepping back, she stepped in.

Her teacher recently shared with us during her parent-teacher conference that she has become a quiet but powerful leader — someone who brought her classmates together in a way that changed the energy of the group. Now, students who used to sit alone or in divided clusters gather together in the lunchroom. There’s a sense of care and togetherness that wasn’t there before — a shift that her teacher attributed to her leadership.

She is the kind of student who notices when someone feels left out and takes action, not for recognition, but because she believes everyone deserves to feel like they belong. She embodies the spirit of Ella Baker — not just through her resilience, but through her compassion, her inclusive heart, and her ability to build bridges in ways that leave lasting impact.

What three words best describe your star student?

Sensitive, Brave, Inclusive

Keep up the great work, Zaylee If you know an outstanding student who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them to be featured on Patch.

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