She's got sixth-grade smarts

COLEBROOK — She may be just 11 years old, but Monica Swartley is a smart, caring and well-spoken young lady. Currently in the sixth grade at the Colebrook Consolidated School (CCS), Monica was chosen by Superintendent Jay Chittum to receive the 2008 Superintendent Award. Monica is also involved in several volunteer activities.

The oldest daughter of Vernon and Wendy Swartley, Monica has lived in Colebrook all her life. Her younger twin sisters, Erica and Marissa, are in the fourth grade at CCS.

Monica earns high marks on her report cards and helps other students as a mentor. On Tuesdays she works with first-grade students on various projects, including playing word games and helping them with special projects and assignments. Recently she began working with an advanced kindergartener on Thursdays with reading assignments and projects. Her favorite subject in school is reading, with math a close second.

“I like to read a lot, even when it’s not for homework. I could just sit down for five hours and read,� said Monica, who enjoys adventure and science fiction books. Her favorite authors are J.K. Rowling and Avi.

Monica is interested in the French horn, which she has studied for the last two years. She participates in the school band and serves as a band director for the elementary school. Next month she will audition for the Northwestern Regional Middle School Music Festival.

Monica enjoys playing soccer, softball and basketball.

In her free time, Monica does craft projects and recently won the Colebrook Lion’s Club Peace Poster Contest. She also enjoys volunteering. In past years she has enjoyed participating in Colebrook Clean-Up Day, which she said was “fun,� and organizing the fifth-grade United Fund Food Drive.

While Monica was aware that the school’s superintendent awarded an outstanding student with the Superintendent’s Award each year, she said she never gave it much thought.

“I was really surprised,� Monica said about being chosen. She added she enjoyed the dinner reception for the winners, where she was treated with a baked stuffed shrimp dinner.

As for her future goals, Monica is considering attending college to become a veterinarian.

“I like animals a lot. I used to take horseback riding lessons when I was really little,â€� said Monica, who enjoys hanging out with her pet rabbit, snails and lizards.  

Monica will attend Northwestern Regional Middle School next year as a seventh-grader.