Kofa Advanced Placement United States History
United We Stand, Divided We Fall!Notable students
In our AP class, we have some amazing students in terms of consistency, behavior, and determination. Many of you are awesome students because you work hard and it shows in your grades. I am very lucky that I have such awesome kids in my class. I hope you all continue to work hard because you want to be the best and get the most out of our class. For Spring semester, I will do a monthly highlight of who I consider to be a notable student because they fit the following criterias:
When I think of what a good student is I think of the following characteristics:
1. A good student is someone who is attentive to the lesson everyday without letting others or things distract them from their learning. Even if the class is boring, they do not make an excuse to “space out” or talk, or do homework for other classes. They are respective to the learning environment by positively contributing to it through active participation. A good student can learn something new everyday if they make an effort.
2. A good student is someone who comes to class everyday. They are punctual so they do not inconvenience the rest of their peers. They are a true “professional student” who clocks in and out of class on time. If they do happen to be absent, they take it upon themselves to get the information or assignments from their teacher. They don’t frequently make excuses for their lack of production but instead manages to find a way to prioritize their school work to be the most important thing to do.
3. A successful student is someone who gets their work done on time. They do not make excuses as to why it is not done, but instead prioritizes their time to complete the task. They take pride in turning in assignments that are well thought out and well done. They want to showcase their efforts because they have worked hard on it. This pride and ownership is part of who they are.
4. A successful student is someone who is determined to be the best not by competing against others, but by challenging themselves to greater academic potential for their own gain. They actively seek to master their subjects because they have a real and honest interest in what they are learning. They differentiate themselves from others because their hard work and effort sets them apart. They don’t have to tell their teachers or peers how great they are because their action speaks louder than words.
11 Comments»
Laotian Teacher wrote @
Nicole, you don’t sound conceited to me because it is the truth. You do work hard in my class. You actually study for your tests, read your chapters and ALWAYS makes comments even when I don’t require it. You always try your best in everything you do and I can’t ask more from you except to be proud of your effort! Also, it was very nice of you to think of the others!:)
Sal Alonso wrote @
i dont agree with all the qualifications. yes grades and everything else is important, but what about the people that care for their peers and techers? dont we get a say in the notable students? i care for every one of my peers and am willing to give my time to listen to anyone, including teachers. yes the qualifications are good, but what about those who give their time and patience to the students? who listen and tries to be there for the other. when i heard of this i was upset that kindness and caring wasnt included.
im here to help my peers and try to help whenever i can, ask the people that i have helped, Aubryee, Abril Watchunes, ect., anyone that knows me will say that.
im not saying that i want to be in here, but i am saying to think about us that care for everyone else.
Malini Chauhan wrote @
I think that Elizabeth Dispoto is a notable student because of her amazing contribution to class discussions- she often brings up perspectives that I’ve never seen before and many of them are not a spur-of the moment thing she just says on the spot in class; she usually has read something that concerns the subject. Her comprehension and analysis of social phenomena is especially note worthy.
Liz Dispoto wrote @
Hah, sorry my response is so late.
Anyway, I nominate Nicole Northcutt for this position as she not only meets all these qualifications but tries to excel in them. I mean, she always comments on this website! Which means she must check it a lot and take the time to formulate and write a response to Ms. Aragon’s posts. She is very nice, cheerful, and a helpful person ALL THE TIME. 
Even though we don’t always agree on everything, Nicole is always very respectful and has brought my attention to certain aspects of an issue that I was not previously aware of or did not consider. Plus, she debates with me, and I am told I can be intimidating or something…lol just kidding. But I do enjoy being able to discuss topics intelligently with her. So in short, Go Nicole!
I would also like to nominate Malini Chauhan as she just works her butt off ALL THE TIME. Malini has managed to get a 98-100 in EVERY class since probably birth. She is not just highly intelligent, but a very hard worker. Every time I want to do anything with her she usually says, “Sorry, gotta study.” Then I have to whine and plead and she’ll relent and we have fun. But yeah, Malini is my bestest best friend so I am a little biased towards this but I will say that Malini is my inspiration (yes I know, very cheesy) but she seriously has been someone I have looked up to since freshman year. She was the one who encouraged me to take college classes and most of the stuff I say in class is derived from conversations with her and friends. So yeah, this isn’t meant to be a profession of my love towards Malini but kind of a personal anecdote about why I consider her a notable student. She comes off as a little aloof and forceful but don’t let that intimidate you! She really is a cool cat who has helped me a lot and is partly responsible for the person I am today. And THAT is why I consider her a notable student. Because she affected me personally. And others. In a good way. 
For my third nomination, I nominate Marvin from 4th hour. (I’m sorry, I can’t remember your last name. D: I know, I apologize for my ignorance.) I don’t know him all that well, but he has made a positive impression on me so far. He is very polite and respectful. He is nice and cheerful and willing to lend a hand ALL THE TIME. When he speaks in class, he is usually contributing to the discussion, he was very productive when we worked on our project together (he is an awesome partner), and I think he cares about a lot of social issues and tries to think objectively. So yeah! Marvin, I would like to get to know you better! As would I think the class, because you are a pretty swell guy.
Yeah, I wish I could nominate all the cool people I know but I decided I would limit myself to three, diverse people so I wouldn’t just be nominating the same type of person for all three. I’m sorry, but I still love you all and you are all Notable Students to me~!
…my god I am feeling very mushy/sentimental tonight. I blame sleep deprivation/exhaustion. :3
P.S. Ms. Aragon! When are you actually going to update this section!?!
Branden Lau wrote @
Hmm…it’s been a while since this has been introduced, should be brought up more….Um, this is supposed to be a monthly thing right? Anyway, I nominate Kenya from first period just because her sheer determination. I’ve seen her in a couple of classes having a hard time and people berating her (even from the teachers) yet she still tries. I say she deserves a mention due to sheer effort.
BELLA wrote @
If I may, I’d like to nominate the one student that I am SHOCKED has yet to be mentioned…. Edward Cullen. He graces the school halls and classrooms with his amorous beauty and puts text books to shame with his centuries– I mean, what amounts to centuries- of knowledge and experience. He’s an absolute genius knowing everything about everything, and if he doesn’t know something, he has the means to rip it out of your mind– I mean, he’s willing to look it up, especially if it involves me, though I’ll never understand why because I’m just urchin and I don’t know how such a DAZZLING marble-esque perfect figure of sheer magnificance could ever love someone as PLAIN and BORING as me…
He’s ambitious, handsome, good at everything, can make Mozart with almost little effort (because he’s so sincere that he puts in at least a little effort just to be polite to the rest of us mortals– I mean, commoners)… the only thing I beat him in is love- because I LOVE HIM MORE NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS. Oh, and he’s a demi-god— did I say demi-god? I meant GOD. He’s the epitome of perfection, the envy of the divine, and the reason there’s still beauty on Earth. I feel- no, I KNOW with my BEATING HEART (honest, it beats!) that he is a notable student.
Edward Cullen wrote @
Nay, I do not deserve such an honorable award as Notable Student! Have you all forgotten the sins I have committed? The unspeakable atrocities I have done? No, I am a MONSTER! A killer such as I can never be forgiven, nor rewarded considering the things I have done! As for my intelligence, it only is derived from years of the self-inflicted torment I have forced myself to endure by immersing myself in the living hell that is called high school. The redundancy is excruciating, the perfect penance for the SINS I have committed. If there be any other way to suffer more painfully, I would do it. I mean, my GOD, I have college degrees. Yet another example of my unworthiness! I am not in anyway more intelligent than my fellow students, only more experienced in the education system, as I have been it for the past decades of my eternal, unnatural existence that makes a mockery of all life. I can not stress enough how much my disgusting “talent” of being forced to hear the mundane, private observations in each human’s head is something to be RIDICULED, not praised! I wish not to intrude on the privacy of my fellow students, but the cruel hand of faith spares me not. In fact, I consider it only further penance for the SINS of my past to be forced to listen to all the irritating musings of you promiscuous, beastly mortals. As a final plea, do NOT vote for me as a Notable Student. I am a predator and should be killed! My very Adonis cut body draws you in, my liquid amber eyes hypnotize you, and my supernatural strength and speed let me rip your jugular out with my teeth before you can even process the thought that you are dead. I am a FREAK! A MONSTER! My translucent skin is the skin of a KILLER!
Instead I can think of no one more worthy of nomination than the delightful Miss Swan. I have never known a more gentle, kind, beautiful, unique, smart, dazzling, exotic, rapturous, saintly, feminine, benign, sweet, strong, mature, captivating, tasty, mysterious, charismatic, beautiful young woman. The very air she breathes is pure light. Her dark orbs of celestial beauty catch your gaze and peer into the very depths of your soul. She is a rose among thistledown, a jewel among jagged rocks. Her conversational skills are excellent and she can hold a conversation for days. The thoughts that run through her head would amaze scholars and she claims a mastery over the English language that would triumph over even Shakespeare. Bella, my love, you have shown me kindness and compassion I thought would never be possible for such a loathsome creature as me. In you, I found understanding and love that had eluded me for the past one hundred and eight years. You have saved me, from the darkness inside myself. I LOVE AND CARE FOR HER MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF!! Not ONLY has Bella healed my open wounds, she has comforted and encouraged all who come into contact with her. She is a goddess among mortals, never have I known someone so capable of joy and love. Yet she also has a will of fire in her, a spark that shows that NO ONE can dominate over her. She is a strong, independent woman! A fine example to all womankind! She is the epitome of the perfect woman, if there is someone more perfect, I have yet to meet her. And quite frankly, never expect to. Her intelligence knows no bounds, this creature of perfection, the angel of my nights, has read Goethe! And Milton for the Volturi’s sake. How many teenagers willingly subject them to something as horrendous as Faust willingly? And enjoy it? None, other than myself.
In short, Isabella swan is perhaps the most perfect, flawless creature to ever grace the planet, nay, UNIVERSE with her presence. Her becoming the school’s most Notable Student would only benefit mankind and adds to my adoration of her. I sincerely believe that Miss Swan is the ONLY choice for this honor.
Chris Castillo wrote @
mrs. Aragon Miguelito destroyed my project he accidently broke the disc and didnt even email it to you!!!!…if we never had him the 1st time things would worked out properly…i am telling you!!…we don’t have computers to finish up the assignment good.. only miguel had..so we gave it to him… we can’t do nothing about it now!…..i guess i’ll have to do it over again!!!..but i am kicking miguelito out of my group he is irresponsible and disrespectful…my partner edwin and i we’re going to do it over again but by ourselves
and i dont know what else we could do with miguelito…
Chris Castillo wrote @
Mrs. Aragon I have to really let you know about something…..Miguelito is a very but very huge problem!!!! You know why we haven’t turned you in the questions yet??? You know why our powerpiont is not emailed to you??? We actually saved it inside a floppy disc we got at the library…Edwin and me we did most of the work….Miguelito summarized only about 3 pages… and the test questions we wrote them all down to type them and print them out….well our floppy disc miguelito accidently broke it he had it in his backpack for nearly a month!!…the questions,he never was done typing them!!!! Something I have to tell you about him he’s Irresponsible…and disrespectful!…if we never had him the 1st time things would of worked out properly…I am telling you we don’t have computers!! We are working our best way to finish up with everything…So I guess we have to do everything all over again!!.. the powerpiont and create our own questions and type them….we have till Ch.38 Mrs. Aragon why does there need to be a certain rush to already make the powerpiont? Just give us a chance please things are really getting complicated… then we can finish up properly but we don’t know what else we can do with Miguel vega….he destroyed us!! He even has a computer but doesn’t get the powerpoint thing…. This is really a big thing that’s going on Mrs. Aragon….please you need to talk to miguelito seriously and make him do something else. I cant believe this is really happening to me.
I don’t want to sound conceited or selfish at all by saying this, but honestly I believe I’m a notable student myself. I think I’ve worked hard to achieve these qualities you’ve posted and I continue to try and maintain the status I’m at. I agree with all these qualities and I would like to mention a few students whom I believe portray several of those above. Tyler Hoffman is the first person that comes to mind because I think he works really hard to achieve good grades and he is reliable for many things. He will really succeed in the future and can do anything he sets his mind to. Kristen Young is a very smart girl. She is well rounded and has read more books than I have purses (I have like 70 purses) she will make an awesome writer someday and she works really hard. Jacqueline Butler is an awesome student. She is very responsible and if your tell her to do something and she says she’ll do it, she will. She juggles a lot of extracirriculars with academics and still manages to do an awesome job. Liz Dispoto (sorry if I spelled your last name wrong) has an amazing mind. She is very knowledgeable about things I’ve never heard of. She does all her work and very welcoming when others need help or an explanation on things. She’s not afraid to give her opinion and that’s what I like about her the most because she can change your perspective on things. I know it sounds like there’s not a bunch of guys I talked about but Tyler is a great student and he’s the only one I’ve seen really that portrays those qualities. I’m sure there’s more but Jackie, Liz, Kristen, and Tyler are the first that come to mind when I see “notable student”.