LAUSD/USC Cinematic Arts and Engineering Magnet

822 W. 32nd Street

Los Angeles, CA 90007
213.748.0126
kjs0182@lausd.net
May 15, 2014
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my pleasure to recommend Naomi Valladares for undergraduate admission to your university. It
has been a privilege to teach Naomi each of the four years that she has been in high school in
Journalism I as a freshman, English as a sophomore, American Literature/Contemporary
Composition and Journalism II as a junior, and Journalism III currently. She is also my teachers
assistant, where her help is invaluable.
Conscientious and full of intellectual promise, Naomi consistently receives high academic marks in
core and elective classes. Highly regarded among the staff, she is self-motivated, demonstrates
excellent work and study habits, and is extremely cooperative. She conscientiously monitors her
progress to meet her educational goals. Much like her performance out on the softball field, in
English, she is confident and not afraid to formulate and assert her personal views and experiences,
contributing greatly to the learning experience of all of the students. This outspokenness is a trait that
serves her well inside and outside of the classroom. Naomi is also an incredibly talented visual artist.
She is a natural fit in Journalism, where she serves as Art Director. As such she gathers, creates, and
coordinates artistic material in a variety of mediums for our online newspaper, Technically Speaking,
and our creative magazine currently in progress. In addition, she contributes professional, timely and
creative artwork to the Arts and Entertainment beat, affectionately known as the Crayon Box. In
these capacities, she serves as both a leader/role model for other student journalists and a team
player, and I have really come to depend on her, especially as a more experienced and senior member
of the organization. And, when given the opportunity to host Naomi this year as my teachers
assistant, I jumped at the chance. She assists me in the day-to-day operations of the classroom by
completing a variety of administrative tasks to assisting students in my class with their depth of
analysis. I know I can always depend on her and she often volunteers to help without my having to
ask.
Personally, Naomi exudes compassion and empathy for others, maintains a joyful energy and
positive attitude, and possesses a genuine zeal for learning. While she is highly motivated to succeed,
she maintains the utmost of academic and personal integrity. She values education and is committed
to meeting her academic goals. Interested in the fields of Visual Arts, Culinary Arts, and Business,
she envisions an entrepreneurial future that will allow her to pursue her creative dreams. In short, I
am positive that she will thrive in the fast-paced, self-directed, rigorous learning environment college
offers.
Sincerely,
Kara Smith
English 10/11, A.P. U.S. History, AVID, and Journalism
LAUSD/USC CAE Magnet School