Fifth-grader loves her time at school

Stephanie Wilkes thinks it's pretty cool that her mom will serve as the PTO president at her school next year. The way she sees it, it'll give her more opportunity to be at the school.

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"I love when she goes to work and I get to help her," said the rising fifth-grader at Lewiston Elementary School. "My record for being at school the longest is 14 hours and 45 minutes."

Stephanie, the 10-year-old daughter of Scott and Sue Wilkes of Grovetown, said she was at school to help her mom prepare for its carnival late into the evening last year.

Whether she's involved in extracurricular school activities - such as helping her mother with carnival events or preparing for her anchor position on the school's morning news show - or participating in class activities, Stephanie gives it her all.

"This highly motivated fine young lady is a role model for other students to emulate," said Paul Holcomb, Stephanie's fourth grade teacher at Lewiston. "I do not look forward to this young lady moving on to fifth grade. She will be missed!"

Holcomb nominated Stephanie for the Make Kids Count honor because of her high academic achievement.

She holds the highest average in her grade and was honored for having the highest class average in math, social studies and science - in addition to her extracurricular involvement.

Stephanie, a participant in the school system's Horizon's program, which is for gifted students, also is a student at the Columbia County Ballet and is involved in her church, Fireside Baptist.

"She does work at it," her father said of her academic achievements. "It's not all easy for her. If I had to guess, I'd say that she gets most of her academic intellect from her mother."

The Wilkeses, who are also parents to 5-year-old Garrett, have instilled the importance of a good education in their oldest child.

"Later in life I want to be able to do all kinds of stuff," Stephanie said. "I think I want to be a teacher."

Stephanie will likely use her skills at PowerPoint in the classroom in the future. Holcomb said his former student "possesses outstanding computer skills, especially the PowerPoint program."

"I can kind of do it," said her father of PowerPoint, "but I get her to help me do the cool effects."