Garden Spot High School

Jewel Boninu

Junior

Jewel Boninu is a junior at Garden Spot High School. She is involved in many extracurricular activities including volleyball, lacrosse, health council, class of 2022, National Honor Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). She serves as the Vice President of class of 2022 and is a leader for FCA. When asked what she likes most about school she says, “the relationships and friendships I get to make everyday.” Although Jewel thoroughly enjoys her time spent at school, she also enjoys her free time when she can work out and hang out with her friends. Also, Jewel attends youth group at Weaverland Anabaptist Faith Community and is a member of Gateway Church. After high school she is hoping to attend West Chester University and eventually become an athletic trainer. She also hopes to eventually marry and start a family of her own. As of now, she feels her greatest accomplishment is upholding her continuous positive attitude as much as possible, and holding herself accountable for this. Her positive attitude mirrors that of the person she admires the most, her grandfather. Jewel says she admires him because “he has dealt with a lot of things and is super strong; he has a really great attitude about life.” Jewel is an excellent student who demonstrates the importance of having an optimistic mindset. She makes school a more enjoyable experience for everyone around her.

Written by: Emma Gruber

Tavita Kauffman

Senior

Tavita Kauffman, Senior at Garden Spot High School, is highly involved in extracurricular activities including National Honor Society, soccer, lacrosse, marching band, and Garden Spot Performing Arts. Along with her extracurriculars, she enjoys drawing, painting, and spending time with family and friends. Because of her love for art, Tavita’s favorite class this semester is ceramics. “It’s very relaxing and challenging at the same time.” She loves how the class allows her to show her creative side while challenging her patience as she works to make a piece just right for an assignment. Tavita mentioned how she is grateful for the opportunity to go to school in person this year because she learns best when interacting with her peers. Tavita is working hard to finish her senior year strong as she prepares to attend PA College of Health Sciences where she will continue her education to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Outside of school, Tavita is a member of the Worship Center and helps at their local branch in New Holland called Forgiven Worship Center. Along with her high involvement, comes great accomplishments. Her greatest accomplishment to date is getting her driver’s license since her father was previously the only driver in her household. She explained that getting her license was a huge relief for her family because it virtually eliminated the stress of figuring out how everyone was going to get from place to place. “I am very fortunate that (my parents) are very supportive of me; they are always teaching me new lessons every day and have always been by my side through tough situations.” Likewise, Tavita continuously finds ways to help those around her as she works hard to succeed at everything she does.

Written by: Avery Stauffer

Danya Rose

11th Grade

Throughout the school, many students exhibit favorable traits and habits readily noticed by teachers and peers. One student, Danya Rose, certainly shows the pride of Garden Spot. Danya, a junior, is known throughout the school as a smart, helpful person whose focus on his studies is unrivaled. For example, after skipping the seventh grade, he started his high school career by taking many classes over the summer, as well as doubling up on subjects. Now, in 11th grade, he is excelling in many high-level subjects such as Calculus BC, AP Statistics, and AP Biology. He is a star example of an exemplary student here at Garden Spot High School.

Danya is good with social interaction as well. When asked about his favorite aspect of school, he answered, “I love the social aspects of school, in being able to talk out problems and learn from others. It’s honestly the best part of learning.” School is very important to him, as highlighted by his plan to change schooling for the better if given the opportunity. “I want there to be a focus on the harmony between technology and nature.” With his love for technology, math, and TSA, he wishes to study mechatronics and cognition in the future. Also a skillful musician, Danya’s love for piano and keyboard percussion serves both the high school jazz band and high school marching band. He also dedicates a portion of his day towards reading, which explains his fluidity in public speech and debating in clubs such as model U.N. and Quiz Bowl. All of this goes to show that Danya, like many others in his grade, is a spectacular student who brings so much to Garden Spot, whether it be his helpful nature or his curiosity towards studies.

Written by: Sean Skinner

Leija Hamzic

11th Grade

Leija Hamzic is a junior at Garden Spot High School. She participates in band and cheerleading and is also a member of student council and Tri-M Music Honors Society. Her favorite class is her internship at CPRS Physical Therapy. Although it is not a traditional class, Leija enjoys observing the therapists and gaining exposure to what the career entails. The internship has helped to solidify her career pursuit, and she plans to attend college to earn her doctorate in physical therapy. What Leija enjoys most about school is her teachers, as they make the lessons interesting and engaging. In her free time outside of school, Leija can be found practicing clarinet or relaxing and watching Netflix. Her hobbies include baking with her grandmother, traveling, and, of course, playing her clarinet. One of Leija’s greatest accomplishments is becoming a section leader for the clarinets in marching band this year.

Leija’s most admired person in life is her father. After the passing of her mother, he stepped up and took on the role of two parents. He never gave up, even when times were tough. He always puts Leija and her siblings first, giving them rides and coming to every game and event. The determination, perseverance, and warm heart of her father inspires Leija to work hard and push forward, even in difficult times. Something that Leija wishes she could change in the world is the selfishness and greed of humanity. As she sees it, so many issues – like racism, poverty, war, and pollution – are crippling our society. People focus so much on economic development and growth that they ignore those in need and let the world fall apart. Leija thinks that world leaders need to open their eyes and see the truth rather than be blinded by their own power.

Written by: Veronica Fox