This Week's Whiz Kid: Emyline Lumasag

Name: Emyline Lumasag, 17.

School: Stratford High School.

Achievements: As class president, Emyline works within the Class Council to plan school-wide events. These activities range from working with the under classmen at Stratford High School to fundraisers. It also includes the prom, which they are currently working on. Through working together on various activities, the class becomes more cohesive and more effective in their efforts.

Emyline is the Stratford High School Choir president. As a member she has traveled to compete in various competitions. She says that “while some consider [them] the underdogs, [they] continue to improve each year.” This is due to the commitment of all those involved.

Ms. Lumasag is a member of Stratford High School’s student advisory board through which she provides feedback and suggestions to the Stratford Board of Education regarding Stratford High School. Each year the student advisory board gives presentations at Wooster and Flood middle schools to help the following year’s incoming freshmen with their transition to high school. Emyline says that “the presentation includes what ‘life’ is like at Stratford High School, the teacher’s expectations, etc.”

This is Emyline’s second year as the captain of Stratford High’s Dance Team. In 2010 the team placed 2nd at the State Competition and 1st at the South West Conference Dance competition. This was especially exciting for Emyline as this was not only the first time the team had placed in a competition, but she choreographed the completely routine as well! Every year the Stratford High Dance Team marches at the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. While hip hop has been their main concentration, the team incorporated jazz this year as well.

Emyline has been a member of Stratford High School’s Drama Society for four years as both a performer and member of the stage crew.

Since 2008, Emyline has devoted summer vacation time to the Sterling House Day Camp. She works predominantly with children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. As a Junior Counselor she plays with the children and helps to engage them in various camp activities. Emyline is a Sterling House Student Representitive.

Emyline is an employee at Stratford’s own Doughnut Inn.

Emyline will be graduating from Stratford High School with honors and will be enrolling in Suffolk University, Boston, MA in the fall. She will be pursuing a public relations degree and plans to continue to dance (with the University’s Dance Company) throughout her college career.

Key to Awesomeness:

As a first generation American citizen, Emyline is inspired daily by her parents who emigrated from the Philippines. She is very grateful for all the opportunities that they have provided her and her sister. As a result, they both strive to work as hard as possible as a form of gratitude. Emyline says that while her mom danced when she was a child in the Philippines, “she never had the opportunities we have had to dance. We like to make her happy.”

Her inspiration for volunteering comes from the children themselves. “I love children,” Emyline says, “and I love knowing that I can make their day better. I enjoy reading to them and being a friend if they need me.” She also likes knowing that she is helping her community.