Newman High's November Star: Samantha Smith

Samantha Smith, a senior at Newman Central Catholic High School, has earned the title of Student of the Month for November. She is the daughter of Chad and Corie Smith. Samantha's favorite class is AP Statistics with Mrs. Connie Royer. She believes Mrs. Royer is the best teacher she has ever had. The teacher makes learning fun and engaging. She uses activities that help students understand the material better. Samantha enjoys going to this class every other day. After high school, Samantha plans to study exercise science at a four-year university. She wants to become a physical therapist. Her top choice is the University of Alabama, but she is still deciding. She also hopes to manage a gymnastics team and study abroad. Samantha's favorite extracurricular activities are competitive gymnastics and the Dixon Sister Cities Association. She has been doing gymnastics for 15 years and competing for nine. She trains over 20 hours a week. Gymnastics has taught her work ethic, time management, and dedication. Through the Dixon Sister Cities Association, Samantha traveled to Herzberg, Germany, during her freshman year. This program has helped her make lifelong friendships, promote world peace, and learn about other cultures. One memorable moment for Samantha was the Kairos retreat during her junior year. It was the best experience of her high school career. Now, she is a Kairos leader for the junior class. Samantha's dedication to her studies, extracurricular activities, and community involvement makes her a standout student.