Academic All-Star – Sunset Middle

Published April 12, 2017

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, free food from Chick-fil-A and Sonic Drive-In and a free gift courtesy of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More in Franklin.

Sunset Middle School eighth grader Yoali Perez-Gonzalez is poised for success. Teachers say the 14-year-old is a wonderful student who always tries her best, making her a terrific choice for this year’s Academic All-Star.

“Yoali possesses every characteristic that ensures academic success,” said eighth grade American history teacher Susan Hooper. “She is perfection. We will miss watching her further blossom when she returns to Mexico at the end of the year.”

After moving to Williamson County several years ago, Yoali and her family plan to move back to Central Mexico at the end of the school year. Although she’s excited to be reunited with relatives in Mexico, Yoali says she’ll miss her friends and teachers at Sunset Middle.

“The students are really nice to each other here,” said Yoali. “The teachers also help me a lot.”

Yoali’s favorite subject is science, which is why she made her project for the eighth grade Academic Fair about the Big Bang Theory. Although she’s not sure what she wants to be when she grows up, Yoali understands the importance of a good education.

“Sometimes I think about what I’m going to be and what I’m going to do,” said Yoali. “I want to be someone who leaves a mark.”

The award was a big surprise for Yoali, but her teachers agree she deserves it after all her hard work at Sunset Middle.

“I just can’t believe it,” said Yoali. “I know a lot of people who are, from my perspective, a lot better than me. It’s just surprising, and I didn’t know about it.”