Student Spotlight: Sofia Checa

Name:  Sofia Checa 

Grade:  Seven 

Age:  13 years old  

School:   

Accomplishments:  

• Sofia has been playing the cello since third grade and currently studies privately with Lila Ainsworth, a professional cellist who lives in Dobbs Ferry.  
•  Sofia has been participating in the since fourth grade where students from Westchester county are selected by audition and  meet for three rehearsals in the spring and perform a concert at SUNY Purchase.
• In 2010, Sofia was 1st cello in the Elementary All-County Orchestra and this year she was first cello in the Intermediate All-County Orchestra (grades 7 through 9).   
• Sofia has also been a member of the Greater Westchester Youth Orchestra since fifth grade where students meet weekly on Monday nights throughout the school year and perform twice.  This year's spring performance will be at Lincoln Center in New York City. 
• Sofia recently applied to and was accepted at an intensive summer music program at Interlochen, which is located in northern Michigan where she will attend for 3 weeks this summer. 
• Sofia has been studying karate since the fourth grade at Karate in Hastings where she currently is a first degree black belt; in addition to also being a volunteer assistant instructor and teaching beginning and intermediate karate on Saturdays.  

Key to Success:

Sofia is a high-honor-roll student, who is especially interested in math and science.  Last summer, she applied to and was accepted at an academic summer program at Mount Holyoke College to study robotics for three weeks.

One of Sofia's favorite motivation quotations is from President Franklin Roosevelt: "Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."  

Sofia's aspirations include becoming a karate instructor, playing a cello concerto, and pursuing a career in engineering.