Freshman displays tender heart, vivacity in class

Every month The Feather highlights one individual from the student body who demonstrates exemplary character and or admirable dedication to classes or extracurricular activities. Teachers choose those who display the before mentioned characteristics in the classroom setting. The objective of the following article is to honor the effort of students to live by Caleb Code Standards: Seek Truth, Speak Life, Serve Others.

February’s Featured Student is Fiona Soto, ’19, recommended by art and home economics teacher, Sharon Scharf. Scharf believes Soto displays interest and care for the wellness of others and sets aside the time to teach them.

“Fiona Soto has stood out to me as a loving, caring young lady, who has helped a student from China with her English, and explained classroom assignments to her on a one-on-one basis,” Scharf said. “She is a great ambassador for our school. She is showing love and concern for those who need a friend who will go the extra mile for them.”

Soto’s family often split their time between Germany and the US as they possess dual citizenship in both countries. Soto spent most of the 2014-2015 school year in Germany at the international school villa amalienhof. She returned to the Fresno area in time for the 2015-2016 school year and enrolled at FC as a freshman.

Soto says citizenship in both the US and Germany allows her to become immersed in the culture of the two different countries on a deep level.

“I don’t really see any disadvantages [to dual citizenship],” Soto said. “Some advantages are that you can live in either place you have the citizenship and stay as long as you want. It allows you to understand and get to know both cultures better and become more well rounded.”

This year Soto decided to allow more time for rest and renewal in her schedule. She says the presence of excessive stress often leads to negative setbacks in important areas of life.

“When you do that [overload one’s schedule,] for lack of a better term, you are kind of killing yourself,” Soto said. “ You’re so stressed out and you can’t really concentrate on anything and you’re not really letting yourself breath. Then it makes your work and other areas kind of suffer from it because you’re not doing your best.”

On Soto’s free time, she reads, writes and spends time outdoors. She often practices traditional calligraphy with a quill in order to better memorize information. In addition, she holds a deep interest in the interpretation of history. She says her thoughts often drift to intriguing ideas and topics.

“I like reading and writing a lot,” Soto said. “I’m also really into history and learning about things in the past. I’m a person that tends to think a lot and drift off, maybe more often than I should. I usually write mostly to practice cursive or calligraphy. Sometimes I’ll use this to better memorize or learn things.”

Fiona Soto has stood out to me as a loving, caring young lady, who has helped a student from China with her English, and explained classroom assignments to her on a one-on-one basis. She is a great ambassador for our school. She is showing love and concern for those who need a friend who will go the extra mile for them. –Sharon Scharf 

In addition, Soto enjoys painting drawing, shooting at the fun range and growing plants. Soto also played bass and snare drum since the 5th grade and partook in ballet from a young age. Soto plans to return to ballet soon. She says though difficult the sport remains an enjoyable pastime.

“I’ve been doing ballet since I was very little,” Soto said. “I wasn’t as serious when I was six or seven. Then I got more serious so I have been doing it for maybe seven or eight years. I haven’t been doing it as much because of school and stuff but I want to go back to it soon. I really like ballet. It can be super hard and painful but it’s really fun.”

Sister Chloe Soto, ‘17, says Fiona balances a lighthearted personality with the ability to handle difficult situations.

“She’s very fun and bubbly,” Soto said. “She’s a very nice and fun person to talk to. In tough situations or sad situations or scary situations she can always bring the good out of it. She knows how to have a good time too and loves to make people laugh.”

Fiona says a sense of humor creates a peaceful and fun environment for everyone.

“It makes life more enjoyable and easier when you’re not as serious and when you have fun and laugh and what not,” Soto said. “It’s good to keep kind of a lighter spirit in the air. It’s nice to have a good hearted atmosphere.”

International Student Joey Wong says Soto stands as a loyal and supportive friend.

“She’s funny and a very nice person,” Wong said. “ She’s very unique. She has very mature thinking. She’s nice and she always supports me in a lot of different ways. She is caring and thoughtful. We also have a lot in common. That’s what makes her a really good friend.”

Mother Roni Soto says her daughter posses a unique personality complete with a sense of humor and an appreciation for art.

“Fiona is a super cool daughter,” Soto said. “She is quirky and has an oddball, goofy sense of humor and I love it. She likes the most interesting unique things such as books and collectibles and music. It’s difficult buying a gift for her because she has such unique taste.”

Soto’s hopes for Fiona’s future include general well being and the knowledge of her importance in God’s Kingdom.

“I think anyone would be blessed to know Fiona and to have her as a friend,” Soto said. “ She is a loyal person that stands up for her friends at any cost. She loves truth and justice and always helps those that can’t help themselves. I hope that she will be happy with whatever she chooses to do with her life. I also hope that she will always know that she is a princess of the most high king and she is highly favored by Him.”

Fun Facts about Fiona Soto

-Soto attends Word Community Church services, Bible studies and youth group.
-Her dream school would be Harvard though she is not sure what she wants to do when she grows up.
–Heidi and Miss Peregrine’ s home for Peculiar Children are some of her favorite books.
–Goodfellas and Dead Poets Society are her main two favorite movies.
-If she could be animal she would be a mix of a sloth and a bear.
-If she could have any superpower it would be to time travel.

For the Featured Student of Jan. 2016 read Featured Student: Jacob Avedian, demonstrates servant leadership.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @skylerklee and via Email: Skyler Lee.