Valencia Middle School, eighth grade
Age: 14
Parents' names: Lisa Cota and Albert Oropeza
Favorite class: Math. "I like patterns and fractions and finding solutions to different problems," Christian said.
Activities in school: Basketball and track. "I'm better at basketball; I've been playing since I was, like, 6," the teen said.
Activities outside of school: Football, baseball and religious education. "Right now I'm in baseball and I go to church every Sunday and I was in catechism. Football just ended."
Whom would you have lunch with if you could have lunch with anyone? University of Arizona Wildcat basketball player Nic Wise. "He's not selfish; he's basically the team leader," Christian said.
People are also reading…
What books are you reading now? Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events." He noted: "I'm on the seventh book."
Whom do you admire most? My parents. "They push me to do my best all the time," Christian said.
What's your favorite song? "Every Girl," by Lil Wayne.
Plans after high school: Go to college, play basketball, baseball and football for the University of Arizona or the University of Southern California. Christian also wants to get a degree in forensic science.
Dream job: Play professional sports — football or basketball.
Dream car: Ferrari.
Favorite place in Tucson: Tucson Mall.
Hidden talents: Christian is good with computers. "I can download music and all that," he said.
Vouch: Christian has been a straight-A student since first grade and is able to balance school, sports and social activities, his mother said. "He is a very intelligent and athletic young man," she said. "He is very involved in sports and takes great pride in his academics."
This is the last Student of the Week installment for the 2008-09 school year. In addition to being featured in the stories, students have received plaques donated by Tuller Trophy and certificates from the Office of the Pima County School Superintendent. Go to www.azstarnet.com/sn/studentoftheweek to read about all the students featured this year. And check back in September to learn how to nominate your student for the 2009-10 school year.
