When Jessica Barnes, 12, set high standards for herself in the classroom, at Lawrence Road Middle School, she didn’t expect it would one day put her in the running for a national competition, which she placed in third, after the Herald went to press.
The “America’s Favorite Student” online annual competition in which students advance through rounds of public voting, with the winner earning $20,000, a spotlight in Readers Digest, and a tour of the Planetary Society with Bill Nye.
“I feel honored to be one of the students selected for something like this,” Jessica said. “This is something that I can put on my resume for my career goals.
When I’m older, I want to be an ICU nurse,” she added.
As part of the competition, students complete a questionnaire about their interests, goals and why they should be considered.
Jessica, who said she aims to keep her grades above a 95, noted that she hopes to one day become an ICU nurse.
Jessica has advanced through multiple rounds of public voting, moving from an initial group of about 50 students to the top five. Voting is now underway to determine the winner on April 23.
“She’s been sharing the link and telling people about it,” Claudia Barnes, Jessica’s mother said. “Trying to get as many votes as she can.”
As the competition continues, Barnes said the process helped showcase her daughter’s personality and ambitions.
“I’m very good at ELA and math, but science and social studies are good — just not where I want them to be,” she said. “I try to work harder in science.”
As for spreading the word, Jessica told as many people as she could. Beginning with her friends at school, then Barnes helping on social media “Some of them thought it was really cool,” Jessica said of her classmates. “Some wanted to find out how they could do the same thing.”
Unfortunately, this is an annual competition for students. However, there are various others coming up for teachers as well.
Barnes said the opportunity came after a friend suggested entering the competition. When Jessica heard about it she did not hesitate to be part of it. She added that the experience has been a chance for Jessica to step outside her comfort zone while continuing to push herself academically.
“I just want to keep Jessica well rounded in everything,” Barnes said. “Experience every little thing.”
As voting continues, Jessica said she remains focused on doing her best and is grateful for the support she has received from friends, family and classmates.
If she advances to the final round and wins, Jessica would travel to Pasadena, CA, for a private tour of the Planetary Society with Bill Nye — an opportunity she said she is excited to pursue. The Planetary Society is a non-profit that explores space and science. However, it also explores discovery and curiosity.
