Students of the Month at Chautauqua Lake Central School, honored for November and December achievements, are from left, Chadelynn Johnson, Claire Millspaw, Erma Wolcott, Alyssa Reynolds, Sophia Gervasio and Rachel Wilson. Submitted photo

Students of the Month at Chautauqua Lake Central School, honored for November and December achievements, are Chadelynn Johnson, Alyssa Reynolds, Rachel Wilson, Claire Millspaw, Erma Wolcott and Sophia Gervasio. The student recognition program honors students in grades seven through 12 whose classroom performance, attitude toward learning, work ethic and extra-curricular activities set them apart.

Senior Chadelynn Rae Johnson is the daughter of Doug and Amy Johnson of Dewittville. Science, math, and art are the classes she enjoys the most. Chay is both an athlete and a scholar. She has competed on the varsity softball team since freshman year, earning the State Award for Softball and the Player of the Week while she was a junior. She also competed on the volleyball team freshman and sophomore years and the soccer team junior and senior years. Last school year she was also inducted into the National Honor Society; she has been on the honor roll throughout her high school career. Outside of school, Chay enjoys playing travel softball and helping with the Shooting Stars basketball program. When asked what historical person she admires, Chay named Mahatma Gandhi because “he didn’t use violence to solve the problems India was having. His nonviolent resistance later led to their independence.”

Alyssa Reynolds, daughter of Jeff and Julie Reynolds of Ashville, is a junior who names cosmetology, chorus, select chorale, and English as her favorite subjects. Alyssa is active in a variety of school activities that showcase her athletic, academic, and leadership qualities. She has competed on the volleyball team since her freshman year. As a junior, she participates in Student Administration and Peer Mentoring, was inducted into the National Honor Society, and will perform in March in the school musical, Once Upon a Mattress.

Outside of school, Alyssa enjoys spending time with friends and family. In history, Alyssa admires Gandhi because “he was able to become a leader and an inspiration to many. He fought for his people’s freedom in ways that no one else would ever have thought to: ‘Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.'”

Sophomore Rachel Marie Wilson, daughter of Laura and Steven Wilson of Mayville, selects Global Studies and Business Ownership as her favorite subjects this year. Rachel has performed in the school musical since eighth grade and is looking forward to joining the cast of Once Upon a Mattress.

This year, she also joined the tennis team and was recognized as “most improved player.” She has earned a scholar athlete pin and her varsity letter. Outside of school, Rachel enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing tennis, and cooking. When asked what historical person she admires, Rachel chose Ruth Bader Ginsburg because “she’s a champion for women’s rights.”

Claire L. Millspaw, a freshman, is the daughter of Sarah Brown-Millspaw and Brian Millspaw of Westfield. She enjoys art and social studies this year. Claire’s love for music is apparent in her choice of activities: she performs as part of the student-led A Capella Club and will perform in the musical in March. She also is a member of Art Club and Student Administration. Outside of school, Claire loves dancing, cooking, and swimming. When asked what person she admires, Claire named Kurt Cobain because “he wrote amazing music about things nobody had the audacity to talk about.”

Eighth grader Erma Wolcott is the daughter of Greg and Kathy Wolcott of Mayville. She enjoys math and English Language Arts the most this year. Erma’s love of sports is shown in her competing on the school’s basketball, soccer, and softball teams in both seventh and eighth grade. She won the Defensive MVP award for soccer and the MVP award for softball. She has also earned a place on the High Honor Roll. Outside of school, Erma participates in 4-H and was on the Chautauqua County Dairy Princess Court. Erma admires Susan B. Anthony because “she was a female activist who also fought against slavery.”

Sophia Grace Gervasio, a seventh grader, is the daughter of Melinda Gervasio of Ripley and Carlo Gervasio of Corry, Pennsylvania. This year, Sophia enjoys gym and music classes the most. In school, she has competed on varsity swim team, earning the most improved award this year. Outside of school, she loves working on puzzles, being with friends, and running. When asked what historical figure she most admires, Sophia said, “I admire J.K. Rowling. Although she is not historically famous, I admire her for her perseverance. She was a poor, single mother.

Her first Harry Potter book was turned down by 12 publishing houses, but she believed in herself, and I’m glad she did.” If Sophia could be another person for a day, she would choose Molly Burke because “She is a blind You Tuber who has become very successful. I would never want to be blind, but it would allow me to experience the challenges that she goes through every day.” She would like to pursue a career in the field of animal care.