07-04-2025
Vote for azcentral's Student of the Week for April 7-11
Student of the Week offers schools the chance to celebrate teens who have placed in an art, dance or music competition, excelled in a science fair, won an essay contest, received a scholarship, were recognized for their volunteer service or have shined in some other way.
All high schools in Arizona are invited to nominate students to be included in an online poll where readers vote to choose the Student of the Week.
Student of the Week voting is open from 6 a.m. Monday through noon Wednesday. The winner is announced online on Friday morning.
Meet this week's nominees!
Ethan Gomez is currently first in the nation for the javelin, he's broken his own school record, and he's won the Chandler Rotary Tournament. Recently, Ethan also served on Valley Christian's Engage Costa Rica trip, where he was an incredibly hard worker while serving the children there through sports camps and service projects.
Nomination submitted by Savannah Freeman, executive project manager, Valley Christian Schools.
Mario Torres Hernandez is an outstanding student at Apache Junction High School who, in addition, attends the East Valley Institute of Technology in the medical assisting program. Mario has a quiet strength. He leads by example and consistently demonstrates excellence in academics, leadership and character, making him an outstanding role model for peers and an asset to our school community. Academically, Mario has excelled across all subjects, consistently earning top grades and maintaining a remarkable GPA. His commitment to learning is evident in his curiosity, persistence and ability to master challenging concepts with ease.
Nomination submitted by Jennifer Powell, academic counselor, Apache Junction High School.
Jazmyn Zarate is an exceptional candidate for Student of the Week due to her outstanding leadership, dedication and multifaceted accomplishments. As a two-time class senate president and current student body president, she has shown remarkable initiative by leading her peers, planning major events like homecoming and prom, and raising over $30,000 with a starting budget of $200. Jazmyn balances her demanding roles with a commitment to service, contributing 200-plus volunteer hours and participating in Rotary International's Interact Club and National Honor Society.
Academically driven, she excels in Advanced Placement and honors courses while attending college classes through ACE (Achieving a College Education) and TRIO programs, setting her sights on graduating with an associate degree. Alongside her school contributions, Jazmyn works part-time to support her family and senior year expenses, displaying resilience and responsibility. With plans to pursue communication and education at the University of Arizona to become a program director, Jazmyn exemplifies ambition, compassion, and excellence, making her a deserving honoree.
Nomination submitted by Reema Sharma, college algebra teacher, Central High School.
For more information on Student of the Week, email studentoftheweek@
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote for azcentral's Student of the Week for April 7-11
