Award Winner

CRNL3706 - Copy (2)

Cynthia Matos

Eighth Grade, Vineland K-8 Center

Cynthia has had to endure difficult and traumatic experiences
throughout her life. Upon her relocation to Florida, Cynthia’s school
worked intensely to provide Cynthia with emotional and academic
support. To see how Cynthia has overcome such hardship in her life is
inspiring. Despite her tough background, Cynthia is a student on a
mission. She looks for students who are either new to the school, seem
isolated, or just need some encouraging words and she makes those
connections happen instead of leaving the job to someone else. She
goes around the lunch tables and establishes communication and
makes connections to students that she notices are alone or having a
rough day. Cynthia is a student that has overcome significant hurdles
in life and is now focused on doing the right thing and helping others.