‘Girls Rule’ Says Lafayette Elementary Third-Grader: Future Leaders

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Luciana Lara, a third-grade student at Lafayette Elementary School in Fredericksburg, has already made the A/ B honor roll twice this year.

Last month, Lara was also given the Lion Pride Award at her school, having been nominated by her teacher for exemplifying the school’s core values.

As part of its 2025 Future Leaders initiative, Patch is celebrating the contributions that young people like Lara are making to their schools and the greater Fredericksburg community.

How do you feel about receiving the Lion Pride Award last month?

“I felt really proud and happy.”

Who is the teacher that nominated you and why did she nominate you?

“My teacher Mrs. Jacobs nominated me. She told me that I was showing Lion Pride and working really hard.”

Congratulations on being on the A/B honor roll. What are your favorite subjects and why?

“My favorite subject is math because I really like doing multiplication and fractions. I also like science because I love doing water cycle projects.”

What hobbies do you have? What do you enjoy doing when you're not at school?

“I love playing field hockey and I am on the summer swim team. I also do Tae Kwon Do and I am a red-tip belt. I have two younger sisters, Emmy and Francesca and I love playing with them and riding my bike."

What are your favorite and least favorite foods?

“My favorite foods are sushi and Korean bbq. My least favorites are vegetables (except carrots!)"

What's your favorite movie, book, TV show or song and why do you like it? (Pick One)

“My favorite book is ‘The Talented Clementine.’ My teacher has all the Clementine books in her classroom.”

Who has inspired you the most and why?

“My mom, my teacher Mrs. Jacobs and Taylor Swift. They all inspire me to do my best and that girls rule!”

Even though it's a long time before you become an adult, what do you think you might want to do one day?

“I want to be a 3rd grade teacher when I grow up.”