List of 6 items.

• A project that made an impact:

  The second grade class play about influential women throughout history. “I played Ruby Bridges. I learned from her that you can’t look at a person and know if they’re bad or good; you have to get to know them first.”

• How she expresses herself:

  By getting creative in art class. “I love art class because you can express yourself on paper. We learn different hand motions for every new artist we learn about. Right now, we’re learning about Alexander Calder and he used wires, so you twist your hand for him. He loved the circus, too. We’re working on creating a big circus in class. We’re all making little bits and putting them together—I’m working on the dunk tank.”

• How she’s finding her voice:

  Through imaginative storytelling. “I like to write my own stories—I always leave them on a cliffhanger! Right now, I’m writing a story about a girl named Nico who turns into a mermaid. My friends say I’m crazy to be leaving all of my stories on cliffhangers. When I share them, they say ‘why would you do that?!’ But I always tell them, just wait...it’s to be continued.”

• What she likes to do for fun:

  Dance. “At Ellis, we have a whole group that does dance. There are some moves from ballet and jazz. I do ballet, tap, and jazz outside of school. I like dancing along to the rhythm of the beat. I love music and singing, too!”

• Why she loves Ellis:

  “I like going to Ellis because it feels so homey. I love all my friends and that they’re all different and unique!”

• How she wants to change the world:

  “One small kid can make a difference—and I think that’s me. I care about the planet. We all have to live on Earth. We can try to not pollute as much, walk to school, and not use plastic bags. I want to help everyone make changes.”