By By RANDI K. PICKLEY / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Desiree Buwa, a sixth grader at Ballard School, was recommended as the Star Student not only by her regular classroom teacher, Amy Scott, but by all the teachers at Ballard combined.
Desiree is the daughter of Arcee and Kenneth Buwa. She has two step-sisters, ages four and seven, two sisters, age seven and 11, and a step-brother, age 18. Her household wouldn't be complete, though, without her two dogs, Sprite and Lacey, a hamster named Buffy, and three fish.
According to Desiree, her passion is reading. "I like to read. It's what I like most about school," she said. Desiree reads at home for her own pleasure as well, and said, "Right now I'm re-reading Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire."
Buwa said she has seen the Harry Potter movies, but really likes the books best. When asked if she thought the young man who plays Harry Potter in the movie was cute, she said, "Not really."
According to Desiree, she is a new patron of the Niles District Library and plans to use their resources frequently. "My step-dad's got a lot of books, too," she said.
Her other interests are varied. "I like to go to the park," she said. "And I like to hangout with my friends. We usually ride bikes."
As for going shopping, Desiree said, "I don't go that often. There are a lot of people in my family and not enough room in the car."
Desiree mentioned that her normal attire is pretty casual. "I don't really like dressing up, but I do once in a while," she said.
Desiree's favorite color is pink, her favorite food is a salad without the dressing, and her favorite season is spring.
Her teacher was delighted to recommend the petite blonde for the Star Student honor.
Tim Bagby, vice-principal at Ballard, said, "She is a hard worker and very well behaved, which says a lot. Desiree represents our school very well."
Bagby also said, "She takes initiative in doing her work and also in making friends at school. She sets a really good example."
In parting, Desiree was asked to share some advice. She said, "You should read more. You should learn a little more than you know now." And she plans to live up to those words.