Maria Mendoza is Santa Rosa City Schools elementary school student of the month.

Mendoza, a sixth grader at Monroe Elementary, has attended Monroe for her entire elementary school career. She entered kindergarten as an English learner from a Spanish speaking home and is now categorized as a gifted student who scores “advanced” in both math and English on the California Standards Test.

Mendoza is described by her teachers as a student who “catches on to new concepts quickly and retains information easily.” She was also described by her sixth grade teacher Ms. Tsutsui as “not only smart, she is a wonderful young lady with many qualities that will serve her well in her bright future. Apart from her academic achievements, she is thoughtful in all she does and is guided by forethought and common sense. She will succeed in whatever career she chooses.”