Federal Way Mirror Scholar of the Month for June: Julia Stefanyuk

From planning assemblies to organizing library books, Lakeland fifth-grader always ready to offer a helping hand.

Lakeland Elementary fifth-grader Julia Stefanyuk is an office helper, assembly leader and library aide — as well as an outstanding scholar.

“Julia is a self-manager within the school, which means that she has completed the process that proves she is safe, kind, and productive,” said Lakeland principal Ra’Jeanna Conerly, who nominated Julia as the Mirror’s June Scholar of the Month.

Julia shows great academic and social emotional learning efforts, and she is one of the school’s top scholars in reading and math, Conerly said.

As an office helper, Julia checks in with the school’s office daily and completes various jobs to assist office staff.

“She was chosen for this role because she has demonstrated responsibility and dependability,” Conerly said.

Julia also helps ensure school assemblies are organized and efficient by planning and preparing for each assembly with the school’s counselor in advance.

During the assembly Julia, along with other scholars, facilitate the event by directing students to their seats, introducing speakers and acknowledging scholars for specific awards.

Julia also spends her own recess time volunteering in the library to file books, deliver materials to classes, and more to help the library staff.

“I always really like helping,” Julia said. “I like making other people feel better or have the weight lifted off their shoulders.”

When Julia is walking in the halls and sees someone in need of help, she never hesitates to assist them, she said.

“I think it’s important because it shows an example for the other students,” Julia said. “They’ll be able to be leaders when they’re older or they can show examples to students younger than them.”

At school, Julia credits her success to teacher Mr. Werner.

“My teacher Mr. Werner helps me. Whenever something is difficult for me, he’s always there,” Julia said. “You can always talk to him whenever there’s a problem.”

When she grows up, Julia hopes to have a career as an orthodontist.

Criteria to be a Scholar of the Month includes perfect attendance, GPA of 3.0 or better, and demonstration of positive and productive behaviors in schools.