Katelyn Nielsen, a senior at Chester High School, receives the student recognition award from principal Terry Hernandez at the Sept. 11 Plumas Unified School Board meeting, which was held at Chester Jr./Sr. High School. She is senior class president and, according to Hernandez, is a “great student.” Her transcript, he said, looks “more like a college transcript, full of AP courses.” Nielsen said she wants to go to a four-year university, preferably at one of the University of California campuses. She plans to study biology as an undergraduate, and then earn her master’s in biology. From left, Katelyn Nielsen, her mother Jerri Nielsen and principal Terry Hernandez. Photos by Linda Satchwell

PUSD recognizes students

The student recognition award for Chester Elementary School went to Samantha White, a fifth-grader. White’s teachers characterize her as an enthusiastic learner, an avid reader (she has already achieved the Platinum Club designation in accelerated reading), an out-of-the-box thinker who asks good questions, someone willing to help others and a strong writer. Her favorite subjects are art and writing. White enjoys swimming, fishing, soccer, volleyball, playing with friends and walking her two dogs. Principal Alan Reeder characterized her as “a happy, hard working, respectful young lady with a good sense of humor, who is enjoyable to be around.” From left, Samantha’s parents, Melissa and Ryan White; Samantha White; and Principal Alan Reeder.