The 2009 Absolutely Incredible Kid Day Award Recipients
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Jay Dixon Zane Foster Mariano Linares Traci McClary Jacob Meek |
Phylicxia Moore Kaitlyn Rollins Michelle Ruiz Rebecca Salazar Cinthiz Sandoval |
Jay Dixon
Jay Dixon, age 12, is a student at La Vega Junior High George Dixon Campus where he has been on the A Honor Roll
since enrolling in La Vega ISD, and is in the National Junior Honor Society. In addition, Jay has served on the
Youth City Council, is involved with drama and theatre, and is an athlete. Jay demonstrated tremendous spirit and
courage when his 10 year old sister was diagnosed with Leukemia. The doctor told Jay's mother that Jay was the only
one of her four children who was a match for his sister, and Jay heroically donated bone marrow to his sister.
Although his sister did not survive, Jay is a hero to his family and friends for his selfless and noble act. Although
Jay endured the pain of the transplant, he exhibited a loving and courageous act to help his sister. In addition to
aiding his sister, Jay also has been generous in assisting his aunt with her non-profit business and has enjoyed
volunteering at nursing homes and local hospitals.
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Zane Foster
Zane Foster, age 14, is a 9th grader at McGregor High School where he is an A/B Honor Roll student. His greatest
academic achievement occurred during 8th grade, when he placed 1st at both the Regional and State Science Fairs in
the Physics and Astronomy division; he dreams of becoming an engineer for NASA. His greatest obstacle occurred in
the spring of his 8th grade year, when he was diagnosed with cancer. Zane spent the summer prior to his 9th grade
year wondering whether he would advance to high school, but because of his optimism, he did! Regardless of his illness,
Zane lives his life with enthusiasm, a great sense of humor and with gratitude for everyone who supports him. He is a
wonderful example for anyone facing cancer, and he plans to be the team captain for a Relay for Life event scheduled for
May 2009 in McGregor.
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Mariano Linares
Mariano Linares, age 17, is a National Honor Society student at A.J. Moore Academy in Waco ISD, where he has a GPA of 99.13486,
and his class ranking is 7 out of 180. Mariano&039;s father passed away when he was six. After his father's death, his family was
forced to move many times, and his life-style became very chaotic and erratic. Now, he lives with his cousin, who has become
his guardian. In addition to being an accomplished student, Mariano has managed to be a productive employee by working at
Taco Bell 20 hours a week. He travels to work by riding his bike 4 miles to and from work. Mariano also volunteers his time
refurbishing donated computers for inner city elementary students and doing yard work for senior citizens in his neighborhood.
In spite of challenges presented to him at an early age, Mariano has become a polite, caring and optimistic young man who has
found a way not only to survive but to thrive.
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Traci McClary
Traci McClary, age 18, is an Honor Roll student at Bruceville-Eddy High School. In 2008-09, Traci was a member of the Teen
Leadership Waco class. Recently, Traci and a friend were in an automobile accident. Traci demonstrated heroism by caring for
her injured friend for over 20 minutes while they waited alone in a dark field for the EMS to arrive. She pulled her injured
friend from the car, elevated her broken arm and kept her leg from bleeding profusely. Traci also graciously helped care for
her great-grandmother, before she died, by visiting her nearly every day at St. Catherine's. She is also a caregiver for her
father, while her mother works. In addition to her academic achievements and heroic accomplishments, Traci is active in UIL
(debate), volleyball, basketball, golf, manages the softball team and manages to work part-time after softball season.
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Jacob Meek
Jacob Meek, age 8, is a straight A Honor Roll student at South Bosque Elementary in Midway ISD. Last summer, Jacob became a
hero to a local family who lost their dog. Jacob found a stray dog in his neighborhood and created a lost dog poster with
pictures of the dog, which he posted in the neighborhood. Thanks to Jacob's initiative, the dog's owners saw the posters and
were able to reunite with their family pet. For his most recent birthday, Jacob had the novel idea of asking guests to bring
canned goods as an alternative to the traditional birthday gift. By using this generous and innovative idea, Jacob collected
and donated about 100 items to Caritas. Jacob is active in Midway Little League Baseball, Heart of Texas Soccer and sets a
wonderful example for his little sister.
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Phylicxia Moore
Phylicxia Moore, age 18, is a senior at A.J. Moore Academy in Waco ISD, and has been on the A/AB honor roll throughout high
school. Since middle school, Phylicxia has been raised by her grandmother and has overcome many obstacles in her life. Despite
her many adversities, she is a productive student and is active in her church. She has organized the creation of an Organic
Community Garden at Carver Park Baptist Church where she maintains the garden and sells the produce to cover costs for garden upkeep.
Recently, she organized A Day of Service on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, where she recruited others to weed, clean and
plant vegetables in the garden. She ended the day with a luncheon, at which time, the attendees reflected on the memory of Dr. King.
In addition to her work with the church Garden, Phylicxia is actively involved in ROTC and works part-time at J.C. Penney. Because of
her successes, she has been awarded an Academic Scholarship to Prairie View A & M University.
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Kaitlyn Rollins
Kaitlyn Rollins, age 16, works diligently to maintain her standing in the Top Ten percent at China Spring High School and is in
the National Honor Society; but she is much more than a GPA. Kaitlyn's philosophy is simple: See a need, fill it! Tireless
in her efforts to help others, Kaitlyn spends countless hours teaching younger children at Vacation Bible School, Drama Camp,
Pumpkin Patch, Christmas Camp, and Music Camp. In addition, she plays an active role in Relay for Life, See You at the Flagpole,
Leo Club, Teen Leadership Waco, Star Leadership, Band Section Leader and she competes on the varsity tennis team. She recently
completed a valentine blitz at a local nursing home with the Flagpole Cub. If someone needs help or a kind word, Kaitlyn always
rises to the occasion. In addition to all of the community service mentioned, Kaitlyn also volunteers for Cotillion, Symphony
Belles and HOT Sweethearts. Not only is she a full-time student but she also assists her family by mowing her family acreage
with a push mower. She is truly a well-rounded, absolutely incredible kid.
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Michelle Ruiz
Michelle Ruiz, age 18, maintains an A/B average, and is a senior at China Spring High School. Despite being born with multiple
health issues, including deafness and Cerebral Palsy, she has achieved remarkable success. Michelle is able to walk without
assistance and is fully mainstreamed in regular education classes, where a sign language interpreter facilitates communication
issues. Having overcome continued physical pain due to many surgeries, Michelle keeps a smile on her face, remains friendly and
happy and continues to do whatever is asked of her. In spite of her serious medical issues, Michelle volunteers for Sign of the
Times, an interpreter agency, and exhibits her leadership skills by assisting at a deaf education camp during the summer. Her
positive attitude and perseverance make her worthy of this award.
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Rebecca Salazar
Rebecca Salazar, age 18, is a senior at Waco High School and has been recognized as an Academic Achiever the past two years
maintaining an A average. When Rebecca was 13, her mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. During the periods of time
when her mother was hospitalized, Rebecca had to grow up quickly and had to become the head of the household and in charge of
her younger brother. In addition to assisting her family, Rebecca has volunteered at the Special Olympics, Waco Civic Theatre,
Choir Clinics, Meals on Wheels and as the director of the student led organization, The Lions of Judah Gospel Choir. As director,
Rebecca's responsibilities include keeping the choir organized, running rehearsals, and scheduling performances. Despite her
immense responsibilities, Rebecca has maintained, an A average, a positive attitude, a part-time job and has served as a great
role model to others.
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Cinthia Sandoval
Cinthia Sandoval, age 18, is a senior at Waco High School and has been recognized as an Academic Achiever, is a National Honor
Society member and a NSHSS Academic scholarship semi-finalist. In addition to maintaining outstanding scholastic achievement,
Cinthia has supported her family by working when her mother became unemployed from both of her jobs. She initiated a fundraising
campaign for a cancer society in Houston and began a campaign to educate teens and adults about the issues of abortion. In addition,
Cinthia volunteers at Compassion Ministries, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cameron Park Zoo and local shelters. Furthermore,
Cinthia works part-time, serves as a mentor, is Student Council President and plays varsity soccer and runs cross country track.
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