Academic All-Star – Westwood Elementary

Published April 7, 2016

The Academic All-Star award is given to students who exhibit a positive attitude and a commitment to excellence in the classroom. Each Academic All-Star is chosen by his or her principal and receives a framed certificate, coupons to Sonic Drive-In and a free gift courtesy of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More in Franklin.

Leaving elementary school and moving on to middle school is a big jump, but it’s the impact fifth-grader Ryleigh Anderson left on Westwood Elementary School that earned her the title of Academic All-Star.

“Ryleigh turns in all of her assignments on time, and she encourages other students in her class to do the same,” said Westwood Elementary teachers Catherine Bailey and Lee Ann Bauer. “She participates in math olympiads and is a voracious reader. She has outstanding grades and a positive attitude. Every fifth-grade student should strive to have the attributes that Ryleigh possesses.”

Ryleigh has attended Westwood since pre-kindergarten so she is apprehensive about making the move to Fairview Middle next year.

“I will be sad to leave Westwood,” said Ryleigh. “It’s a really nice environment. I basically grew up here, but I’m looking forward to making new friends.”

Ryleigh says her favorite subject is reading, and her favorite books are The Hunger Games series.

“I like reading because it’s like you are going on an adventure,” said Ryleigh. “You can put yourself in the book.”

If the books aren’t exciting enough, Ryleigh can also find adventure in her own backyard.

“I live on a farm,” said Ryleigh. “Our goat just had a baby two days ago. We named it Dot.”

Being an animal lover, Ryleigh says she wants to be a zoologist when she grows up. It’s a goal she knows she can attain if she keeps working hard.

“Getting a good education is important,” said Ryleigh. “It pays off later in life.”