The Parkwood Middle School Renaissance Program celebrates the academic and behavioral achievement of its diverse student body.  To qualify, students must maintain a "B" average and not have any major disciplinary actions on file.  In the coming weeks, we will be spotlighting a few Renaissance Award winners and trying to figure out how these excellent students are so successful.  The next interview in our series is with 7th grader Molly Mayes.  Special thank you to Parkwood Press member Caroline Bidwell for submitting this article for publication.

Caroline Bidwell: Are you all virtual or do you come into school, if so what days?

Molly Mayes: I come to school on Wednesday and Thursday.

 Caroline Bidwell: What is your favorite subject?

Molly Mayes: My favorite subject is either ELA or science. I have always loved reading, but science interests me as well. 

Caroline Bidwell: What has been your favorite thing about this school year so far?

Molly Mayes: My favorite thing about this school year so far is my teachers. They have made everything easy and as fun as possible for us.

Caroline Bidwell: What has been your biggest challenge with virtual learning?

Molly Mayes: My biggest challenge(s) while doing virtual learning is trying to keep myself motivated and trying to stop procrastinating.

Caroline Bidwell: What are your plans after high school and how will you achieve that?

Molly Mayes: I want to go to college after high school and earn a degree doing something I love. That degree could be anything from art to science, but I'm not sure yet. 

Caroline Bidwell: Who is your favorite celebrity and why?

Molly Mayes: Amanda Gorman. Her poems are amazing and all the work she does is very inspiring. She is overall a good role-model and I would like to be as influential as she is. 

Caroline Bidwell: Congratulations on making Renaissance! What's your secret to success? How did you do it?

Molly Mayes: This year I have just really focused on doing the work. I push myself to learn as much as possible and finish all my assignments, and I feel that is the major reason I earned Renaissance.

Focus, hard work, and a dedication to learning.  It appears Ms. Mayes is "putting first things first" and prioritizing her education.  Congratulations on a well-deserved achievement!!!  Also, thank you to Parkwood Press member Caroline Bidwell for the article.