Students of the Month at Chautauqua Lake Central School, honored for February achievements, are Jackson Janicki, Lily Woodis, Alexandra Reyda, Tala Abuhmeidan, Olivia Shearer, and Lillian Schenk.

Senior Jackson Janicki is the son of Jeffrey and Stephanie Janicki of Westfield. Civil Engineering and Architecture are the classes he enjoys the most this year. Jackson has competed on the High School Academic Bowl Team and the school soccer teams since seventh grade. He also competed on the Envirothon team since eighth grade; created and actively participated in the school’s Interact Club since eleventh grade; and was inducted into the National Honor Society in eleventh grade. Jackson has earned the MVP award for High School Bowl and for varsity soccer. Outside of school, Jackson enjoys playing soccer. When asked what historical person he admires, Jackson stated “I admire Mies van der Rohe because he was a pioneer for modern architecture and his influence can be seen all around the world.” Jackson would enjoy becoming Mr. Morton for a day so that “I could see the world through his eyes and understand Stoic philosophy.” Jackson plans on attending college to study architecture.

Lily Woodis, daughter of Michael and Heather Woodis of Dewittville, is a junior who names Physics, AP American History, and gym as her favorite classes this year. Lily has competed on the school’s volleyball and basketball teams since seventh grade. This year, she also competed on the soccer team. Lily has also been an active member of Student Administration since seventh grade and was inducted into the National Honor Society this past fall. Lily has also been named a Scholar Athlete every year since seventh grade. Outside of school, Lily actively participates in 4-H, Junior Dairy Leaders, Chautauqua County Holstein Club, and the Dairy Princess Program. She admires Martin Luther King, Jr., because “he fought for what he thought was just and right using non-violent tactics. He stood up for what he believed in but didn’t lose himself in the process. This is absolutely amazing to me.” When asked who she would choose to be for a day, Lily responded, “I would love to be my mom for a day so I could look for all the miscellaneous things I am missing and actually find them.” After high school, Lily is planning on attending college and becoming either an elementary educator or a pediatrician.

Sophomore Alexandra Reyda, who is the daughter of Joseph and Tara Reyda of Mayville. selects Chemistry, Global Studies, Pre-Calculus, and Spanish as her favorite classes this year. Alex has competed on the CLCS volleyball teams (modified, JV and varsity) since seventh grade; she has also competed on the school track and basketball teams in previous years. This year she also joined Student Administration. Alex is consistently on the high honor roll and has been selected as Student of the Month in previous years. Outside of school, she enjoys playing volleyball and reading. When asked what historical person she admires, Alex chose Bryan Stevenson because “he has always done whatever he can to help people. No matter the circumstance or situation, he will fight for those who can’t help themselves.” If she could be another person for a day, Alex chose her cousin because “she perceives the world in such a different way than I do. I think it would be really cool to see it from her perspective.” In the future, Alex plans on going to college.

Tala Abuhmeidan, a freshman, is the daughter of Hourieh Khail of Mayville. She enjoys art and Global Studies the most this year. Tala has performed in band in seventh and eighth grade and outside of school, she enjoys drawing. When asked what person she admires, Tala named Isaac Murphy because “even during a very racist time, he won three big horse races.” For a day, Tala would like to be her little sister so that “I could see what elementary school was like again.” Tala’s future plans are to become an art teacher.

Eighth grader Olivia Shearer is the daughter of Jennifer and Kenneth Shearer of Mayville. She enjoys Living Environment and Algebra the most this year. Olivia enjoyed competing on the girls’ varsity tennis team in both seventh and eighth grade, and this year she also competed on the modified basketball team and joined ski club. She has been named a Scholar Athlete, and she has also participated in art club in seventh grade. Outside of school, Olivia enjoys art, tennis, cooking, and running. One person she admires the most in history is Galileo Galilei, because “he put forth a lot of knowledge and theories of astronomy even after he was accused of heresy for doing so; he was very determined.” If Olivia could be another person for a day, she would choose “a younger version of Sylvia Earle because she spent most of her time in the ocean scuba diving and researching animals and other ocean life.” After high school, Olivia would like to go to college for science and then explore a career in either forensic biology or law enforcement.

Lillian Schenk, a seventh grader who prefers to be called Lilly, is the daughter of Lauren and Jeremy Schenk of Ashville. This year, Lilly enjoys her science and math classes the most. She enjoyed competing on the girls modified basketball team this year. Outside of school, she enjoys dancing. When asked what historical figure she most admires, Lilly stated Abraham Lincoln because “he led the country into war against slavery.” If she could be another person for a day, Lilly would like to be her four-year-old sister because “then I could get all of the attention and not go to school.” Lilly’s future plans involve becoming some kind of biologist or a teacher.