Nicole Klein
Nicole Klein, a graduating senior at Viewpoint School, has devoted hundreds of volunteer hours at various local agencies like the Food Pantry, WISE America Reads, Zeitgeist Community Learning Center and the City of Santa Monica. She says one of her most rewarding experiences was her role as counselor at a summer camp that provided local children the opportunity to attend camp at no cost to them.
Klein is a well-rounded student who is also committed to Viewpoint activities, including swim team, her academics and Model U.N., with whom she recently played a vital role hosting a Global Awareness Week on campus.
In addition to all of this, she is dedicated to philanthropic pursuits on campus, such as supporting Students Against Destructive Decisions and CORE (Viewpoint’s Community Service Honors Society) at their Homecoming booth, and donating baked goods to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
Klein will attend Barnard College in New York in the fall and will major in human rights.
Samuel Rubinroit
“Samuel Rubinroit is a hardworking, intelligent and mature young man who is a valued member of the Malibu High School community,” writes staff at Malibu High School.
Rubinroit is one of the valedictorians for the Class of 2010 and will attend Brown University in the fall. He has a 4.0 grade point average, obtained a 2300 SAT score and has taken the most rigorous classes offered at MHS. His teachers note his integrity, kindness and goodwill.
He has excelled as a student athlete in the school’s golf and basketball teams. He is a leader in campus clubs and has served his community by volunteering time to several organizations such as L.A. Youth, Calabasas Teen Court and Dribble for a Cure. Rubinroit holds a part time job as a referee of youth sports and has completed several successful internships. He earned a spot as a staff reporter and photographer for The Malibu Times. He has provided extensive coverage of the high school sports program as well as other sports programs in the area.
Flora Greeson
Flora Greeson was nominated for being an all-around excellent student and person of character. She will attend New York University in the fall.
“She is determined to succeed and always works hard to achieve her goals,” writes staff at Malibu High School. “ Flora is genuine and brings positive energy and spirit to her surroundings. She is very bright, very witty and extraordinarily talented. Flora is quick with a joke, yet focused and serious like a laser if the situation warrants it. She is heavily involved in theater. Her commitment to that program has directly led to her personal growth over these high school years. Student actors have come to depend on her leadership and artistry.”
Farah Stack
Farah Stack is co-chief commissioner on the Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School Student Council. “Farah goes above and beyond in every area,” writes Principal Chi Kim. “She values learning and excels in all areas of the curriculum. Her enthusiasm is contagious as is her commitment to making the world a better place. She is a leader, a helper, a doer and a learner who models great citizenship in and out of the classroom.”
Stack has been an active member of the student council and participates in all service learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. Her work includes volunteering for the Teaching Garden, Labor Exchange Food Drive, Pennies for Peace, School on Wheels, One Warm Coat and other school-sponsored drives to help others in need.
Carl Putterman
Carl Putterman is environmental commissioner on the Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School Student Council. “He lives his life as an advocate for the environment. He walks to school every day, brings a waste free lunch every day, composts, recycles and thinks like a scientist,” Principal Chi Kim writes. The school’s staff commends his interest in the sciences as well as his commitment to ensuring a sustainable world by making an individual as well as collective difference.
“He is an outstanding student who works hard, participates in all student council activities, is a Teaching Garden volunteer and is a kind friend to all,” writes Kim. “Carl is a model student and an outstanding role model.”
Justin Truschke
“When I think of the word citizenship, I think of a person who makes a difference within his/her community; an individual who leads, encourages, and inspires others to be their very best,” writes Webster Elementary School student Justin Trushke’s fifth grade teacher, Kristina Cook. “Often times citizenship is noticed/recognized in those that are more vocal about their pursuits. This year, I have chosen to recognize an individual who doesn’t seek recognition for that which he does, he just does it. He leads by example in that he makes good choices and does the right thing whether anyone’s watching or not. He is well respected and admired by his peers, who describe him wholeheartedly as honest, trustworthy, kind and caring. Outside of school, Truschke is actively involved in Our Lady of Malibu Church. He truly exemplifies what it means to be a good citizen in his community here at Webster and beyond,” Cook said.
Zada Michaels
Zada Michaels is a fifth grader at Juan Cabrillo Elementary School.
“Zada exemplifies kindness, consideration and continual good citizenship to all peers and teachers,” writes her fifth grade teacher Christine Rowland. “Zada maintains a constant positive attitude toward her academics and social responsibility.” Zada’s community services have included school fundraisers such as “Help for Haiti.”
Anthony Sall
Anthony Sall is an eighth grader at Our Lady of Malibu School. “Tony is a hard worker and a critical thinker who always takes his time,” writes his eighth grade teacher Regina Gillspie. “He is very creative in writing, poems and short stories. He is respectful and wise. He is well liked by his fellow students and Tony has a deep relationship with all his many friends. He is very deserving of this citizenship award.”
Tania Moran
Tania Moran is a fifth grader at Juan Cabrillo Elementary School. “Tania is an excellent student who goes out of her way to help others in every way,” writes her fifth grade teacher Steve Posey. “She befriends new students, making them feel welcome in a new environment. She helps others to understand new concepts and follow directions so they can be successful. She is a perfect example of a good citizen in her family, her school, and her community.”
Jenna Rosen
Webster Elementary School fifth grade teacher Tracy Kooy nominated Jenna Rosen from a class she said was full of good citizens. “[Jenna] is always kind, caring and conscientious. There are so many adjectives one could choose to describe [her]: witty, sweet, smart, good-natured, thoughtful, attentive, creative and the list goes on,” Kooy writes. “With an amazing sense of humor and ability to make those around her smile, there is never a request she isn’t willing to accept. Always willing to help her classmates and her teachers, she is a delight daily. As a classroom representative she has stepped up to any task put in front of her and she has worked hard to make Webster a better school.”