Boulder 8th Grade Grad & Commencement Speaker 'Is Kind To Everyone'

Boulder, CO — Graduation is a major milestone and deserves to be celebrated! That's why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to recognize our community's outstanding 2024 graduates.

This submission comes from Kiri Westby who nominated Maya of Boulder.

Graduate’s name

Maya

What grade is the graduate finishing?

8th grade

What school is your graduating student graduating from?

CHOICE program at Platt Middle School

How do you know your graduating student nominee?

She's my daughter

Tell us why they deserve to be nominated!

Maya was chosen amongst her peers and teachers to give the eighth grade commencement speech, not because she is the top student academically, but because "she is kind to everyone, especially the nervous incoming sixth graders, and works hard to build community and make everyone feel like they belong." As a "360 Leader" with CHOICE, Maya led her peers in creating spaces where underclassmen could learn and feel accepted. She greeted kids at school early, decorated their lockers on their birthdays, and made special shout-outs for kids who worked hard on school projects. In these times of increased division and competition, Maya showed others the power of being kind and creating supportive communities, through her everyday actions to be inclusive and compassionate. We believe such daily efforts to support other students should be equally recognized alongside academic achievements. Thank you for considering her!

What's one thing you want everyone to know about your graduating student nominee?

They are kind to everyone, the misfits and the popular kids alike, and worked hard to make everyone feel included and seen.

Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future, Maya!

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Know an outstanding student who deserves a shout-out?

Nominate them here.