Made to Excel

In the busy halls of McDonald Middle School, eighth and sixth-grade students Anthony and Alice Esquivel stand out as true difference makers. When a fellow student needed help, the siblings acted quickly with unwavering compassion.

Lucas Ranfranz is a senior and the valedictorian of West Mesquite High School, Class of 2023. Ranfranz is the product of Mesquite ISD, having attended Gray Elementary School and A.C. New Middle School. Recently, he received four acceptance letters to Ivy League schools in addition to other prestigious universities. Ultimately, he accepted an offer to attend Yale University on a full-ride scholarship where he will pursue a degree in political science. 

Allyson Eldridge is a senior at North Mesquite High School and a softball standout for the Lady Stallions. As she reflects on her last year in high school, she describes her life journey as challenging but her ability to overcome many difficult curveballs is truly admirable. When Eldridge was a fourth grader, she was involved in a fatal car wreck with her family. Although the road to recovery was not easy, she excelled and became an example of resiliency for everyone around her. 

Camden Acri is a second grade student at Price Elementary and a dedicated athlete excelling in sports. Although he has played different sports, such as basketball and baseball and enjoys them very much, football is his favorite. Camden has been rotating positions such as quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. Recently, he went viral on social media as he danced in celebration to an impressive touchdown.

Erin Clayton is a first grade student at Shands Elementary School and a dedicated volunteer in her community. While she and her parents were taking their dogs out for their daily walk, Clayton noticed more trash was appearing throughout their route. To make her community look beautiful, she took the initiative to pick all the trash she would find along the way. 

Nigeria Peterson is a seventh grade Wilkinson Middle School student pursuing her passion for dance. Peterson, who is described as shy, first discovered her love for dance at a young age while spending countless hours listening to music and dancing in her bedroom. 

Xander Yassine is a fifth grade student who is a difference-maker in his community. Throughout his journey in elementary school, he has grown to become a leader for his peers and someone his teachers can rely upon

Peniel Nnamdi is a sixth grade student at Terry Middle School who recently became a published author after launching her first book at the end of last year. Peniel, the oldest of four siblings, enjoys writing and finding different ways to help others.

Ryleigh was in kindergarten in 2016 when she first told her family she did not want any birthday gifts. Her birthday falls three days before Christmas, and her wish was to help underprivileged children by donating her presents.