Our featured Student of the Month for December is 11th grader Alexa Antunez Santos, nominated by Jason Buelterman. Mr. Buelterman describes Alexa as becoming more confident throughout her time at Johnson High, while excelling at her studies. She adapted to virtual learning during COVID-19 and was able to maintain her high academic achievement. Alexa has taken up the challenge of learning Mandarin as her IB foreign language because she is already fluent in Spanish. She was born in Honduras and moved to Savannah when she was age eight. She started learning English in 3rd grade as a student at Port Wentworth Elementary. Alexa was an honor roll student and won the Principal's Award while at Rice Creek. She was a district nominee for the Governor's Honors Program in 2022.
In addition to caring for her sibling after school, Alexa is involved in volunteer activities, such as the Youth Court and DEEP Center, as well as Peer Mediation at Johnson. She is also an FBLA member.
Mr. Buelterman added, “Alexa has overcome so many obstacles to get to where she is now. She has had to adapt to living in a new country, learned to speak a new language, endured through COVID-19 and now is on the cusp of being the valedictorian of her high school. Alexa has shown a true commitment to her education. Her parents drive her roughly 35 minutes from Port Wentworth every day to and from school so she can be a part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. She is extremely motivated to succeed. We are very proud of her success!"
Alexa plans to study Social Science for her undergrad degree and then go to law school. She wants to graduate early so she can start law school early.
Thanks to our community business partners, Alexa is taking home multiple gifts– a gift card from Members First Credit Union as well as Horne Law. Additionally, she will receive a meal voucher from Chicken Salad Chick, as well as Chicken Salad Chick merchandise, and a dozen cupcakes from J's Sweet Treats. Alexa and students of her English/Language Arts class will receive printed copies of her favorite book Born a Crime by Trevor Noah from our sponsor E. Shaver Booksellers. Lastly, Alexa will take home a portrait by Upscale Photography provided by Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools. Congratulations to Alexa, her family and the staff at Sol C. Johnson High School.
