Ever since the school’s inaugural year, students tread down the hallway with three core pillars in mind: “Be bold, be first and be curious,” truly representing what it means to be a Maverick. Three outstanding students, each respectively embodying one of these values, are recognized every month. For the September Students of the Month, the school recognized Paxton Ancheta, 10, for “Be bold,” Alina Tretner, 10, for “Be curious” and Christopher Pak, 10, for “Be first.”
Teachers and peers across the school nominate students of the month for their daily interactions and willingness to be role models for others. Tretner shares her personality and how that reflects her value of curiosity.
“My friends and my teachers usually describe me as nice, outgoing and welcoming towards others,” Tretner said. “I think it relates to being curious, because when I think of being curious, I think of someone who puts themselves out there and likes to know or learn more. I feel like that’s something I could connect to.”
Students of the month not only serve to exemplify the school values, but translate these into real-world impacts every day.
“I’m more willing to answer questions in class. I also like to help others a lot,” Tretner said. “Those small things show [curiosity] because I like getting to know new people and interacting with them.”
Being a Maverick and representing the core pillars can range from being more proactive in campus activities and diligent in helping others to carrying those values outside of school. Pak believes his off-campus job also contributes to what it means to “Be first.”
“I have my own little business for photography outside of school. So, that helped [me] a lot because I’m always putting myself out there first to ask people … if they want pictures,” Pak said. “It helped me to be the first person to [start] a conversation.”
These students note that there are inspiring figures in their lives who help them uphold these values. Ancheta dedicates this recognition to those who encourage him on a daily basis to push forward.
“My soccer coach always pushes me to be a good captain to my teammates,” Ancheta said. “Also, my mom and my dad, they always told me to be brave and put a hundred percent in everything I do.”
As students continue through their high school careers, they receive more opportunities to practice these three core values. The three pillars are not only crucial during high school, but also in students’ future. This award allows the recognized students to go forth and inspire others to carry these values forward.
“I hope that I encourage students to take more action and to go above and beyond, because it’s really rewarding, and this award proves it,” Tretner said. “I also hope I inspire people to do their best and to always want to know more.”
Pak offers his advice to other students committed to representing the value of being first and thus adopting the mindset of a Maverick.
“Don’t be afraid to talk to anyone. Always try to [put] yourself out there,” Pak said. “Even if some people judge, that doesn’t really matter because at some point you’re gonna gain your supporters. And that’s the only thing that you should really care about.”
