Kelloggsville — Fourth-grader Emma Wood had already turned in her book report, she recalled, when she noticed a classmate struggling to get theirs accepted. So she stepped in to help.
“I always try to go above and beyond,” Emma said, adding that she often volunteers to help other students with schoolwork.
Teacher Mariah Rios said helping classmates is an example of how Emma embodies leadership.
“In math, especially, students often gravitate toward her and ask to partner with her,” Rios explained. “It’s not just because she excels in math, but because she is kind, patient and explains things in a way that makes sense.”
She said Emma leads with humility, and models a strong work ethic and positive attitude every day.
The Helpfulness Gene
Emma comes from a family of Kelloggsville alumni, including her grandmother, West Kelloggsville library specialist Jenn Cole. In fact, she has even helped Cole create custom bookmarks for the West Kelloggsville library.
She said her family instilled the importance of always doing the right thing and going above and beyond. With that in mind, she has tried to be a friend and leader to others.
“I like helping students who need it, and I like helping the teachers. I think some of the students look up to me, and I try my best to answer their questions and help them out.”
Emma often assists teachers — especially substitute teachers — with classroom activities and crafts.
“Last year, in third grade, I helped with the school store,” she recalled. “I was the cashier, helping students cash in their tickets for items.”
Being a cashier comes as no surprise, since one of Emma’s favorite subjects is math.
“I practice adding money in real life,” she said. “I can do about any equation you please.”
She demonstrated her math skills by adding two numbers in the millions that totaled more than a billion.
Her other favorite subject is reading, with “The Tale of Despereaux” by Kate DiCamillo at the top of her reading list, because “it’s romantic” and the main character “doesn’t give up,” she said.
Her cooperative attitude earned her two nominations to Central Kelloggsville’s Positive 100 Club, a recognition program at Central Kelloggsville for good behavior.
Outside school, Emma enjoys playing volleyball and basketball. She might be a familiar face to some, as she has been an assistant to the varsity basketball team, coached by her former third-grade teacher, Austin Jackson.
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