'True Grit & Determination': Ridgefield Star Student

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages and at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize Star Students, and we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding kids to their neighbors.

This submission comes from Lisa Rockefeller who nominated her daughter, 11th grader Katie.

Why do you believe the star local student should be recognized?

Katie is an amazing young woman who has accomplished so much. This year alone, she has been inducted into the National Honor Society holding a 4.4 weighted GPA; earned the Gold Medal Congressional Award and STEM Star Awards for her academic achievements, charity work with animal welfare organizations and personal development. She even developed and runs her own successful online Shopify crystal shop called Rock’s Rocks, LLC. Katie is an avid horse lover and rides her own horses daily at Hawks View Farm and Eden Hill Farm in Brewster, while also earning a spot on the Metropolitan Equestrian Team that practices and competes out of Rising Starr Horse Rescue in Wilton.

All of this is amazing on its own, but add to it the fact that Katie has battled chronic neurological Lyme Disease for a decade and you’ll see the true grit and determination of this young woman. She was too sick to attend school for three years (8th, 9th and 10th grade) before finally healing with the help of a doctor in Idaho last year. During the worst years of her illness, she persevered and managed to stay on track through online school programs. She had to give up riding for those three years and has worked very hard to get back in the show ring doing what she loves most. She is now a happy and healthy high school Junior looking toward college, her future riding career and beyond. Katie turns 17 today, I can’t wait to see what this year holds.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star local student?

She is not only smart, but compassionate, caring and strong. She has patience, grit and determination that is awe inspiring.

Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future, Katie!

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Know an outstanding student?

Nominate them here.