High school students have plenty to worry about with going to class, taking notes, doing homework, keeping up with reading and studying for tests. Add in 12 different school clubs and community service with various Lee County organizations, and you get Lee County High School senior Emanuel Cruz’s schedule.
The clubs Cruz, 17, dedicates his time to are, among others, the Quiz Bowl team, Chess Club, Leo Club, Key Club, the Student Government Association, the Senior Committee, the SAGA Club, the National Honor Society, the Math Honor Society and the Student Advisory Council.
He also works with the Christian United Outreach Center and volunteers at various rest homes and hospices throughout Lee County.
It is this dedication to service that earned Cruz the first-ever Superintendent’s Extra Effort Award from Dr. Andy Bryan.
“I wanted to take another opportunity to recognize people who do good things within our school district and make a difference,” Bryan said of the award. “It can be a student, it can be an educator, it can be a community member. I just wanted to recognize people who support our schools and do good things here.”
“I like to represent my school in a positive light,” Cruz said Friday on his way to Chess Club. “I get to talk to a lot of different people through my service. With the Leo’s Club, I get to work with the Sanford Lions Club and learn how to talk to and interact with people older than me.”
“[Cruz] is a great kid,” said LCHS Assistant Principal Frank Thompson Jr. “He’s a great example of what clubs and other extracurricular activities can do for students. When students get involved in these sorts of things, they tend to be more involved in school as well.”
While Cruz needed no recognition for his efforts to get involved and make Sanford a better place, he was overjoyed Bryan chose him for the Extra Effort Award.
“Being the first person to receive the award is a great honor,” Cruz said. “I was just amazed that the superintendent chose me out of everyone to receive it.”
Read full article on The Sanford Herald