Articles

Star student: Kindergartener has a passion for the arts

  • Published
  • By Airman Carissa Wolff
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Five year old Jarrett Mitchell likes music and art - a passion not often associated with kindergarteners.

"I want to be an art teacher when I grow up," Jarrett said. "Art is fun, so by being an art teacher, I can have fun every day."

Jarrett's teacher selected the Andersen Elementary School student as a star student for his consideration for his peers, his conduct within the classroom and his academic progress through the school year.

"I wish I had a whole class of Jarretts," said Sheila Franquez, AES kindergarten teacher. "He's always helping his classmates and making sure they know what we're doing in class. We don't go by letter grades in kindergarten but by colors. Jarrett is always in green which is the next-to-highest color."

Unlike most students, Jarrett did not attend pre-kindergarten classes and still receives good grades and continues to progress through the school year even with peers.

"He surprises me every day with the amount of material he absorbs in class," said Paula Mitchell, Jarrett's mother and kindergarten classroom volunteer. "At first I was worried that he was going to be a little slower than his peers at school because he wasn't able to attend pre-kindergarten classes. He excels at math and is one of the smartest in his class."

Jarrett also has a soft spot for music class, which is his favorite subject.

"I like music class because we get to play all sorts of instruments," Jarrett said. "The sounds are really cool and music class is fun. I like the days I can go play music."