![With the AISD rank and GPA discrepancies, some students had significant changes to their stats. College and career counselor Camille Nix worked with students to appeal their college decisions if they got rejected from schools depending on their previous stats before getting updated. Students worked with Nix to update schools on their new stats in order to fully get their appropriate decisions. “Those who already were accepted [won’t be affected], but it could factor in if a student appeals their initial decision,” Principal Andy Baxa said.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/53674616658_18d367e00f_o-1200x676.jpg)
![Junior Mia Milicevic practices her forehand at tennis practice with the WJ girls tennis team. “Sometimes I don’t like [tennis] because you’re alone but most of the time, I do like it for that reason because it really is just you out there. I do experience being part of a team at WJ but in tournaments and when I’m playing outside of school, I like that rush when I win a point because I did it all by myself, Milicevic said. (Courtesy Mia Milicevic)](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c54807e1-6ab6-4b0b-9c65-bfa256bc7587.jpg)
![The Jaguar student section sits down while the girls basketball team plays in the Great Eight game at the Denver Coliseum against Valor Christian High School Feb. 29. Many students who participated in the boys basketball student section prior to the girls basketball game left before half-time. I think it [the student section] plays a huge role because we actually had a decent crowd at a ranch game. I think that was the only time we had like a student section. And the energy was just awesome, varsity pointing and shooting guard Brooke Harding ‘25 said. I dont expect much from them [the Golden Boys] at all. But the fact that they left at the Elite Eight game when they were already there is honestly mind blowing to me.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_7517-e1716250578550-900x1200.jpeg)
![BACKGROUND IN THE BUSINESS: Dressed by junior designer Kaitlyn Gerrie, senior Chamila Muñoz took to the “Dreamland” runway this past weekend. While it was her first time participating in the McCallum fashion show, Muñoz isn’t new to the modeling world.
I modeled here and there when I was a lot younger, maybe five or six [years old] for some jewelry brands and small businesses, but not much in recent years,” Muñoz said.
Muñoz had hoped to participate in last year’s show but couldn’t due to scheduling conflicts. For her senior year, though, she couldn’t let the opportunity pass her by.
“It’s [modeling] something I haven’t done in a while so I was excited to step out of my comfort zone in a way,” Muñoz said. “I always love trying new things and being able to show off designs of my schoolmates is such an honor.”
The preparation process for the show was hectic, leaving the final reveal of Gerrie’s design until days before the show, but the moment Muñoz tried on the outfit, all the stress for both designer and model melted away.
“I didn’t get to try on my outfit until the day before, but the look on Kaitlyn’s face when she saw what she had worked so hard to make actually on a model was just so special,” Muñoz said. “I know it meant so much to her. But then she handed me a blindfold and told me I’d be walking with it on, so that was pretty wild.”
Caption by Francie Wilhelm.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/53535098892_130167352f_o-1200x800.jpg)
When freshman Bennett Von St. Paul was born, he had a deformed foot and a slightly shorter left leg than his right. The doctors were unable to create a prosthetic device around his deformed foot, so they amputated it when he was 2.
Since the procedure took place at such a young age, Bennett does not know what it’s like to live without a prosthetic leg; however, he refuses to let his prosthetic define him.
“It puts into perspective what life is when you’re different, because after a while, you get used to the questions and glances and learn to stop taking what other people think of you to heart,” said Bennett.
Bennett has a long-lasting love for sports, dating back to his childhood recreational basketball and baseball days. As he grew older, he developed a hobby for long-distance running, with one of his proudest moments entailing his recent accomplishment of completing the 2024 Shamrock 8k.
“It’s unique to open up someone’s mind to the idea that a person with a disability can still be active and fit,” said Bennett.
Despite most amputees having separate workouts or running legs, Bennett has never had one due to the functionality of his prosthetic. He uses the same leg for running, hiking, tennis and everyday activities.
“Over the past three years, I’ve snapped two separate carbon fiber pieces on the leg just because of how much activity I put on them, which I think is kind of funny,” said Bennett.
Eeshan Desai, a friend of eight years, describes Bennett as the exemplary Boy Scout because he never takes shortcuts on anything he works on. P.E. teacher Christopher Barnhart and tennis captain Meilin Ranjan agree.
According to Barnhart, Bennett stood out immediately, but not for the reason most assume.
“Bennett is one of the most driven and impressive ninth graders I have ever taught. He has incredible energy and always brings 110% effort. He makes me a better teacher and person,” said Barnhart, who nominated Bennett for the Dedicated Dolphin Award.
“Bennett never complains about his prosthetic; in fact, he need not because he’s already overcome much of the obstruction it could provide,” said Ranjan. “His journey reflects incredible mental fortitude in what many claim to be the most mentally taxing sport.”
According to friends, teammates and teachers, his tenacious mindset and unconditional positivity serve as an incredible asset to the world.
“The impartial respect and treatment he shines onto others is one of the most admirable traits that Bennett has,” said Juno Paguiligan, a friend since middle school. “He holds genuine kindness and generosity towards others, without expecting it to be reciprocated.”
Eeshan agrees, stating that his favorite attribute of Bennett’s is his kindness.
“If you were able to manage to anger Bennett, you would have to truly be the worst person on the planet, to be honest with you,” said Eeshan.
This story was originally published on The Current on May 24, 2024.
