Bell-Jeff’s best does it all
Molly Shore
She is just a teenager, but for Bellarmine- Jefferson High School
valedictorian Robin De Leonardis, the past four years four years have
been the best of her life.
“Our school is so small that I feel like I’m part of a family
here,” Robin said. “Everyone helps everyone else. It’s been a great
learning experience for me.”
The 17-year-old, who is graduating with 91 other seniors Saturday,
will do so with a cumulative grade-point average of 4.523, the
highest in Bell-Jeff’s class of 2003.
In addition to maintaining high grades, Robin has served on
student council for four years and was the school’s student body
president this year.
She is a member of the high school’s service club, is active in
camp ministry, and has participated in the Salvation Army kettle
ringing for the holidays.
Robin belongs to the National Honor Society, the California
Scholarship Federation, and has won several scholarships, including
one to UC Berkeley for four years.
Robin, who is eyeing a career in journalism, plans to major in
English and minor in creative writing at Berkeley.
Although her family hates to see her leave their Sun Valley home
to go to college away from home, Robin said they support her
decision. Berkeley just happens to be her dad’s favorite school, and
he is especially excited for her to have this opportunity.
Robin, meanwhile, has mixed emotions about graduating.
“I’m very excited to be going to Berkeley, but as I go to take my
last final, I realize it’s the end and I don’t want to leave high
school,” she said. “I’m excited to move on and start a new life and
discover new things, but yet I still want to be back here in my
comfort zone.”
Brother Philip, her advanced placement English teacher, said Robin
is an intelligent, hard-working student of high integrity.
“She’s an excellent leader, and has been outstanding as our ASB
president this year. She is very gifted,” he said.