Michael Torres of Pioneer Middle School (Wenatchee, Wash.) was named the WIAA Boys Middle School Level Star Student of the month for February. Torres is in eighth grade and participates on his schools cross country, basketball, and track teams. Outside of school, he plays lacrosse and AAU basketball.
First in and last out, Torres is a student-athlete that leads by example. He wants to better himself and his teammates, and has been able to see his hard work and commitment pay off with a winning basketball season.
Torres encompasses the triple-threat: outstanding athlete, outstanding citizen, and outstanding student. While he not only excels in his athletics, he also excels in the classroom. He is respectful to both his teachers and his classmates; and the respect is mutual. His peers look up to him and know that they can go to him for anything.
Michael Torres is a reliable individual who you know you can always trust. “You don’t have to wonder what you are going to get from him, you will always get his best” says Tim Trainor, Pioneer basketball coach.
Grace Turley of Chief Kanim Middle School (Fall City, Wash.) was named the WIAA girls Middle School Level Star Student of the month for February. Turley is in eighth grade and participates on her schools basketball, track, and tennis teams. Outside of school, she plays AAU basketball, participates in a church youth group, volunteers at VBS camps during the summer, and gained leadership skills in her schools ASB.
Positivity is a word that easily describes Turley. With a smile always on her face, she works hard and always tries her best. She leads by example and does not let her or her teammates become discouraged during a tough game. Instead, she constantly encourages and supports those around her.
In a situation where many students her age would have felt overwhelmed, Turley took her basketball team from a 12-point deficit to a win. Even though it wasn’t easy, she fought hard and continued to stay positive. Turley’s teammates followed her actions and they were able to see their hard work pay off.
“My favorite characteristic about Grace is how humble she is.” Turley’s coach, Dyame Lemming says. “I am pretty sure Grace could beat any peer at her school (boys included) in a basketball related game, yet you would never know it until the game began and she showed her talent and ability.”