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Cunningham students RESPONSIBLE for great character
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Sophie Mayol and Rajvir Birk are Decembers Character Counts students. Cunningham sixth grade teachers Christine Newell and John Vallerga nominated the girls. - photo by JONATHAN MCCORKELL / The Journal

December Character Counts Students: Sophie Mayol and Rajvir Birk — Cunningham Elementary

 

Cunningham Elementary School sixth graders Sophie Mayol and Rajvir Birk (both 11) were honored as the December Character Counts students. This month’s character trait is responsibility — something both are known for at Cunningham.

“Rajvir is the kind of kid you wish you could clone,” joked her teacher Christine Newell. “She is extremely motivated, civil, reliable and she is someone I can trust.”

Rajvir is a straight A student who is performing at above grade level in testing.

Sophie’s teacher, John Vallerga, said she is dependable, always prepared, and willing to help her fellow students.

“She is extremely talented. She makes everything look easy. She just started playing guitar about three months ago and she’s already really good at it,” he said.

As if that wasn’t enough, she also competes at softball, basketball, soccer and volleyball.

“She manages to stay on top of her school work and turn in all of her work,” said Vallerga.

Cunningham Principal Al Silveira also gave the girls high praise.

“These girls are just great kids and they will be future leaders,” he said.

Both girls hope to enter the law enforcement field. Sophie hopes to become a lawyer and Rajvir said that if she doesn’t become a CIA agent she would like to become a “police woman.”

In their free time both girls enjoy playing sports and Rajvir likes to read and, like any kid, she is known to dabble in the occasional flip off the monkey bars on the playground.

To contact Jonathan McCorkell, e-mail jmccorkell@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2015.

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