By Sabrina Pickett
Staff Writer
Faculty and staff honored over 70 students at the annual All Awards Ceremony on May 31, including senior Noel Castellanos, who received the Student of the Year Award.
The other students awarded included 13 valedictorians, seven salutatorians, three teachers, and almost 40 juniors. Award categories included art, academic and athletic achievements, service awards, National Merit Scholar awards, Girls and Boys State awards and College Book awards.
“Costa’s halls are crowded with top performers,” Principal Dr. Ben Dale said. “We are going to have a high volume of Costa kids recognized nationally.”
Castellanos has taken many honors and Advanced Placement classes at Costa. He is an active member of Lend a Hand Club, which distributes lunches to the homeless on Skid Row. Castellanos also played football and is on the track team.
“I was shocked and emotional hearing my mom’s voice over the speakers,” Castellanos said. “I try to be a role model for underclassmen by being a good person, teaching others, and helping others to always do their best.
According to the administration, Costa adopted the tradition of having numerous valedictorians because of the many deserving students.
“This year’s valedictorians were able to manage many honors classes and still have a social life, while finding the time to participate in other activities inside and outside of school,” valedictorian Christopher O’Brien said.
Many juniors received College Book awards, which were given to top-performing students who excel in various curricular and extracurricular areas.
Eleven colleges, six of which are Ivy League schools, participate in the Book Awards. Alumni from each of the schools choose the recipients of these awards.
“I think I received the Smith College Book Award because I work hard in school and soccer, and I put 100% into everything,” Smith College Book award winner junior Kara Enomoto said.
All of the subject departments recognized one or two students for their achievement or service in a subject while attending Costa.
“To receive a service award one must be able to put in work when no one is watching, [including] helping others during class and outside of Costa,” two-time Student Government Achievement Award winner Travis Taylor said.
The All Awards Ceremony also included a slideshow of the 2012 graduating class and a video montage on Castellanos.
“Staging was professionally done and Ms. Mathews and Mr. Heideman kept it moving,” Dale said. “Many said it was the best [All Awards Assembly] they had ever seen.”
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