Jordan Hoyle, 18

“Where do I begin when it comes to Jordan?” wrote the Mesa Ridge High School senior’s grandmother, Erika Paladino. “She is a high academic achiever in school maintaining a 3.9 grade-point average, participating in National Honor Society and Renaissance. She is a varsity cheerleader, since her freshman year, who proudly displays pride in her school and its accomplishments. She plays varsity tennis and enjoys working with new players on her off time to teach them the game she loves so dearly. Although these activities take up much of her time, she is actively involved in her school’s choir as well as drama, where she had a lead role in the school play last year. This year is no different, many days of her (winter) vacation will be spent studying her lines for the 2009-2010 school play, which she holds a lead role in again. When it comes to the community, she is selfless while investing her time in a variety of activities. Volunteering at the Rocky Mountain Easter Seals Village in Empire, Colo., Dream Night at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, assisting God’s Pantry with fashion shows, supporting the Fountain Valley Relay for Life, assisting with the kids cheerleading camp at Mesa for the past three years, just to mention a few. The above accreditations outlined are only the surface of what Jordan embodies on a day to day basis. Her family, teachers and friends consistently tell her how proud they are of her ongoing accomplishments. She deserves to be recognized and I am very proud to nominate my granddaughter, Jordan Hoyle.”
 
Q&A with Jordan, via e-mail

What is Renaissance?

“Renaissance is a program for students with good grades. You get a card, awards, and discounts at local businesses, and recognition items like ice cream bars and candy bars. It’s for the top achievers at our school. I’ve been involved in the program since my freshman year."
 
Tell me about your volunteer work with Easter Seals.

“These past two summers I went to Rocky Mountain Village Easter Seals Camp in Empire, Colorado. I was a counselor there, and for a week I stayed with other counselors, and assisted kids with mental and physical disabilities. I was assigned to a young lady who I took care of all week. We engaged in activities such as getting her ready in the mornings, fishing, painting, horseback riding, drum circles and a fun dance at the end of the week.”

Jordan says the camp is a nice reprieve for the campers’ parents, who can get some time to themselves while their kids are away.
 
How do you balance all your activities and school?

“They don’t really conflict usually, and if they do I make sure I get to go to both. Everything just means so much to me. I just want to make sure I get the best high school experience possible because you can’t go back.”
 
Which activity do you consider your main thing?

“Honestly, nothing means more than another. Everything has an equal spot in my heart. If I had to pick one there would be no way I could choose.”
 
What will you miss most about high school?

“When you get to college you can’t really do everything. I think when I get to college it’s going to be a whole other level of learning and applying myself harder. I do apply myself as much as possible right now, but I think in college it’s going to be harder to be as involved. I’ll probably miss the friends, my wonderful teachers (Mrs. Felice), and all the high school sports.”
 
Where do you want to go to college?

“Right now my tops are DU (University of Denver) and Baylor (in Texas), but I’m looking at a lot of other schools like Western, Mesa, Fort Lewis, and I also like SMU (Southern Methodist University), which is also in Texas.”
 
Why are those your top picks?

“I heard about Baylor through my aunt, who lives in Texas. When I went to (tour) Baylor and DU, they were just both so nice, and both offered the subjects I'm interested in. They both had extraordinary campuses that I could see myself at.”
 
What do you want to major in?

“Hopefully, theater and some studies in pre-law! I’d love to, of course, be an actress or model, and then if that doesn’t go anywhere, I’m hoping to be a lawyer. I’ve always wanted to do something in the field related to law, but acting is my main thing."

Do you model with an agency?

“I was asked to sign with an agency, but the contract offered wasn't in my best interest. Right now I'm trying to take pictures with as many photographers as I can — there’s a lot of photographers in Colorado — and I'm working hard on my portfolio. Hopefully someday I’ll have an opportunity with Elite, Hollister, or Victoria's Secret. I’m willing to achieve whatever I can.”
 
What’s something people don’t know about you?

“I love to dirt bike.”
 
Where?

“Usually during the summer my family and I try to go a few times, and we go down to Pueblo Motorsports Park."
 
Do you have a dirtbike, or do you rent one when you go?

“My parents and I each have our own.”