Wrestling and dance: Vote for the azcentral Student of the Week for April 28-May 2, 2025!
Student of the Week offers schools the chance to celebrate teens who have placed in an art, dance or music competition, excelled in a science fair, won an essay contest, received a scholarship, were recognized for their volunteer service or have shined in some other way.
All high schools in Arizona are invited to nominate students to be included in an online poll where azcentral.com readers vote to choose the Student of the Week.
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Student of the Week voting is open from 6 a.m. Monday through noon Wednesday. The winner is announced online on Friday morning.
Meet this week's nominees!
Jakob Duffey, senior, Cactus Shadows High School
Jakob Duffey, a senior at Cactus Shadows High School, is a "standout" wrestler, a marching band drummer, a tennis player and headed to the honors college at ASU, said his Student of the Week nominator, the high school's Athletic Director Rob Gilmore.
Jakob Duffey is an exceptional student. He has been accepted to Arizona State University and will be attending the Barrett Honors College, majoring in biochemical engineering. Beyond the classroom, Jakob has proudly represented the Falcons in a variety of ways. He was a dedicated drummer in our marching band, a standout wrestler who finished fourth in the state in Arizona Interscholastic Association Division III, and he's currently competing on our tennis team with an impressive 11-4 record.
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Nomination submitted by Rob Gilmore, athletic director, Cactus Shadows High School.
Matthew Ruiz, junior, Odyssey Institute High School
Matthew Ruiz (center) in London for a performance with the Odyssey Institute High School's Will Power Dance Troupe. Matthew's Student of the Week nominator, dance teacher Tabbatha Prewitt, said he "consistently puts himself out there in dance class."
Matthew Ruiz consistently puts himself out there in dance class, even when it feels scary or outside of his comfort zone. His courage and willingness to take creative risks inspire those around him. In addition to his commitment in class, he maintains outstanding grades as a full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme scholar at the Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies and is actively involved in a variety of extracurricular activities ranging from Future Business Leaders of America to theater. He is a well-rounded scholar who leads by example through his dedication, positivity and perseverance.
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Nomination submitted by Tabbatha Prewitt, dance teacher, Odyssey Institute High School.
For more information on Student of the Week, email studentoftheweek@azcentral.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote for the azcentral Student of the Week for April 28-May 2, 2025!
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