Maria Carrillo High School’s Xiaoyi “Michelle” Shao is Santa Rosa City Schools student of the month for May.

Readers may recall that Shao was honored last week as one of the Press Democrat’s 10 outstanding seniors in the Community Youth Service Award. Shao won in the music category for her work in establishing and then dramatically expanding the “Chance to Dance” program with the Boys and Girls Club. The program is now active in other cities in California and across the country.

Shao, who is headed to Harvard, spent last summer at Junior State of America Summer School at Georgetown University. She currently spends six to eight hours a week as director of political affairs for Junior State, sending out action alerts to encourage activisim and involvement in issues that affect young people.

Shao, one of two National Merit Scholarship winners in Sonoma County, was also Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Distinguished Finalist.

Marie Speaks, Shao’s counselor, called the senior “spectacular.”

“She is truly the most gifted, eloquent student I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with in my 28 year career as a teacher and counselor,” she said.