Hadli Welsby is the Pueblo Chieftain's first Student of the Week
Hadli Welsby of Pueblo Central High School has been voted the Pueblo Chieftain's first Student of the Week.
The Pueblo Chieftain Student of the Week feature and poll was launched on Feb. 12 as a way to recognize the achievements of Pueblo-area high school students.
The poll, which closed on Feb. 15, featured six seniors from Pueblo Central, Pueblo County, and Pueblo South high schools who have demonstrated a willingness to give back to their community, determination in the classroom and excellence in extracurricular activities.
Readers had the opportunity to crown the inaugural Student of the Week by voting in this week's poll. Welsby received over 19,000 votes, the most of any student nominated this week.
Welsby has participated in the Pueblo Mayor's Youth Council, Health Occupations Students of America and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, among other programs. She maintains a 4.35 GPA, is a five-sport athlete — competing in golf, gymnastics, soccer, swimming and track
In addition to being Central's senior class president, Welsby has volunteered with Tom and Louie's Cupboard, elementary school Science Fairs, PAWS Youth Awareness Week, local scholarship foundations and CSU Pueblo track meets.
Welsby will be pursuing a biomedical science degree at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. She aspires to be an anesthesiologist.
Other nominees for this week's Student of the Week
Alexa Baros, Pueblo South High School
Alexa Baros, president of South High School's senior class, will graduate this spring with 46 credits from Pueblo Community College. She is a nominee for the Daughters of the American Revolution's Good Citizen scholarship and a four-sport athlete competing in basketball, soccer, track and field, and volleyball.
Teagan Dillon, Pueblo County High School
Pueblo football fans likely know about Teagan Dillon — the speedy former Hornet kick returner who recently committed to play for Colorado State University Pueblo. Despite overcoming great challenges in life, he maintains a positive outlook and an outstanding "drive to succeed," according to County guidance counselor Cherl Sherwood.
Ellianna Highfill, Pueblo South High School
Ellianna Highfill has spent over 200 hours volunteering during high school and is currently working to develop a community garden serving Exceptional Student Services and low-income students. She also ranks at the top of her class, maintains a 4.8 GPA and is a finalist for the Boettcher Foundation Scholarship.
Zacharias Mehess, Pueblo Central High School
Zacharias Mehess serves his community as a cleanup crew, science fair and Tom and Louie's Cupboard volunteer. He also is a 4.2 GPA student and multi-talented athlete with aspirations to become a mechanical engineer. He attributes his success to the values he was taught by his parents and grandparents.
Kyla Ruzich, Pueblo County High School
Leadership, loyalty and work ethic are a few of the character traits that make Kyla Ruzich an example for others to follow, Sherwood said. Ruzich excels academically and maintains a team-first mentality as a basketball player, volleyball player, versatile track star and active member of her campus community.
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Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Who won Pueblo high school Student of the Week? Hadli Welsby
