Oaks is Student
of Month
Lauren
Oaks is an award-winning artist, a novice author, a poet, a senior at Santa
Ynez Valley Union High School, and now the recipient of the Student of the
Month award, an honor presented by Edward Jones, Solvang.
A
member of the high school honor roll with a 4.4 grade point average, Oaks
participates in the Drama and Art clubs and is treasurer of the Interact Club.
Oaks is a member of the Youth Rotary Club and
attended a three-day leadership event in Ojai last April. “It was a great
experience,” she said.
“It
boosted my confidence and inspired me to make a difference and go the extra
mile. It really made an impact on my daily life and helped me to be a leader in
school,” she said.
For
the past three years she has won art awards in the Chalk Festival held in May
at the school, and her art will be part of an open house on campus this spring.
Her favorite medium is acrylic. The theme for her presentation will be “Water.”
She plans to have 24 pieces in the show.
In
addition to art, Oaks likes to write. She is a contributing writer for the
Santa Ynez Valley Journal, and is writing her first novel. She also enjoys
reading Shakespeare and writing poetry. She feels it’s a “great way to express
my inspiration and relieve stress. It helps me look at the progress of my
life,” she explained.
The
daughter of Michelle and Steve Oaks of Solvang, Oaks also has a brother,
Mitchell, who attends 8th grade at Los Olivos
Elementary School. Her father is a fireman with the Santa Barbara County Fire
Department.
Oaks hopes to attend the
University of California in Los Angeles or Pepperdine University next year. She
expects to major in English with a focus on education and psychology.
“It
was a surprise to receive this award,” she said.
“It’s
nice to be listed with the high caliber of students who have received this
certificate,” Oaks said.
The award included a $100 gift card from Edward Jones.