NorStar Student Spotlight - A Celebration of National Student-Athlete Day
- deneciajacobs9
- Apr 6
- 8 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
Each year on April 6th, we come together to celebrate National Student-Athlete Day, a special occasion that honors the dedication, resilience, and achievements of student-athletes across the country. Founded in 1987 by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (now known as the Institute for Sport and Social Justice), this day recognizes high school and college student-athletes who excel academically and athletically while making a positive impact through leadership and service.
At NorStar, we proudly join in this celebration to spotlight the incredible young people in our program who embody the spirit of National Student-Athlete Day. These athletes are more than competitors—they are scholars, leaders, and changemakers in their schools and communities. Their commitment to growth, excellence, and teamwork inspires us every day.
Below, we are proud to highlight some of our standout student-athletes for 2025:
MollyAnn Caulfield NorStar 16-1 | Sophomore • Saint Francis High School
MollyAnn is a standout student-athlete whose academic excellence and leadership shine across every area of her high school experience. With a remarkable 4.71 GPA, she excels in a rigorous course load that includes four honors classes and one AP course. Recognized with the School Scholar-Athlete Award, MollyAnn demonstrates the ability to thrive in both academics and athletics. She serves as the yearbook’s Student Activities Editor and holds leadership roles in several school clubs, showcasing her creativity and initiative. Outside of school, she gives back through her volunteer work with Second Harvest Food Bank, showing a commitment to community service that matches her excellence in the classroom and on campus.
Sophie Verner
NorStar 16-1 | Freshman • Sacred Heart Prep
Sophie is a straight-A freshman who excels academically while actively serving her community. In addition to her strong performance in the classroom, she tutors weekly at the Siena Youth Center, where she supports younger students through one-on-one mentorship. Sophie was recently accepted into the highly regarded Peninsula Bridge summer program, where she will continue her work with youth education and development. Demonstrating leadership and compassion, she also helped raise $17,000 for the Cancer Support Community through her role as JV team representative—playing a key role in organizing and promoting the fundraiser. Sophie is a thoughtful, service-driven student-athlete with a bright future ahead.
Lila Ozdemir NorStar 15-1 | Freshman • Menlo School
Lila is an exceptional freshman at Menlo School, one of the nation’s top STEM-focused preparatory schools, where she maintains a straight-A average while taking the most advanced courses available for her grade. Selected as Assistant Opinions Editor of the Menlo School Newspaper after a competitive interview process, Lila is already establishing herself as a leader in both academics and campus journalism. She is a member of the Healthcare Occupations for Students of America club, co-owner of a neuroscience blog, and active in both the Women in STEM and Creative Writing clubs.
Lila’s academic achievements have earned her selection into Stanford University’s elite Seeds of Change Program, as well as the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, where she participates in advanced-level coursework reserved for students scoring in the top 1% nationally. This summer, she will attend highly selective pre-college medical programs at Georgetown and Columbia University.
Beyond academics, Lila is deeply committed to service. She volunteers weekly as a math and English tutor for underserved middle school students, reviews books for her local library as a teen literacy ambassador, and serves as an assistant team manager for Special Olympics Bocce. Lila brings curiosity, compassion, and leadership to every space she enters, embodying what it means to be a scholar, a teammate, and a changemaker.
Mabel Zheng
NorStar 14-1 | Freshman • Head-Royce School
Mabel is a standout freshman at Head-Royce School, where she maintains a 4.3 weighted GPA while excelling in two honors courses and earning a spot on the varsity volleyball team. A dedicated student-athlete, Mabel balances academics and athletics with grace, while also giving back to her community in meaningful ways. She volunteers with the Book Buddies program, helping younger students develop literacy skills, and returns to her former junior high school to assist as a volleyball coach and mentor. In addition, she supports local holiday drives for families in need and contributes her creativity to school theater productions through volunteer set design. Mabel’s quiet leadership and commitment to service make her a valuable role model both on and off the court.
Nathalie Zhang
NorStar 14-1 | 8th Grade student-athlete
Nathalie is a driven and well-rounded 8th grade student-athlete who demonstrates excellence in every area of her life. She maintains a strong GPA while competing in both school volleyball and basketball, showcasing her athletic versatility and competitive spirit. Known for her exceptional time management and discipline, Nathalie balances her academic workload and athletic commitments with maturity beyond her years. Her dedication to both personal growth and team success reflects a deep commitment to excellence in school, sports, and service.
Mila Wong NorStar 14-1 | Freshman • Los Altos High School
Mila is an outstanding student-athlete and community leader who consistently demonstrates excellence, drive, and compassion. She maintains a 4.0 GPA while excelling in Honors Geometry and Honors Biology, all while training 9–10 hours per week for club volleyball through practices, private coaching, and strength and conditioning sessions. Her ability to balance a rigorous academic and athletic schedule speaks to her strong work ethic and time management skills. Beyond the classroom and court, Mila is a committed changemaker. She serves as President of the National Charity League Class of 2028 (Orchard Valley Chapter), where she leads meetings and organizes philanthropic initiatives. Since September, she has completed over 30 hours of community service across numerous organizations, including Animal Assisted Happiness, Hope’s Corner, Lytton Gardens, The Grateful Garment Project, Kindness Campaign, and Second Harvest Food Bank. Mila also led and marketed NorStar’s Palisades Fire Relief Campaign, successfully raising over $3,000. Through every role she takes on, Mila brings purpose, heart, and a strong sense of service.
Megan Chiu
NorStar 16-1 | Junior
Megan is a high-achieving junior who exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and service. With a remarkable 4.67 GPA, she balances a demanding academic schedule with meaningful extracurricular and volunteer work. Megan holds a leadership position as a junior officer in the California Scholarship Federation and is an active member of the National Honor Society, where she contributes through tutoring and community outreach. Her passion for giving back extends beyond the classroom. She volunteers with USA Youth Volleyball and served as the coordinator for NorStar’s Holiday Gift Drive for foster children—an initiative that successfully collected gifts valued at over $5,000. Megan’s intelligence, initiative, and heart for service make her a shining example of what it means to be a student-athlete and leader.
Jaslynn Lemoge NorStar 16-1 | Freshman
Jaslynn "Jasi" is a dedicated and driven freshman who excels in both academics and service. With a 4.2 GPA after two trimesters, she is an A and A+ student taking rigorous coursework, including Algebra Honors, and is an active member of several student organizations.
Jasi is also a natural leader and mentor. She continues to give back to her middle school, St. Pius, where she took full responsibility for organizing and managing their second annual volleyball tournament—recruiting, training, and coordinating volunteers across a three-day event. On school breaks, she returns to the classroom to assist teachers, read to younger students, monitor lunch and recess, and help organize learning spaces. Her love for volleyball has also inspired her to coach younger players, a role she looks forward to continuing during the upcoming school season. Jasi’s initiative, leadership, and heart for service make her a standout on and off the court.
Zoe Andruha NorStar 13-1 | 8th Grade • St. Gregory School
Zoe is an exceptional student-athlete whose drive and leadership extend well beyond the court. A straight-A student at St. Gregory School, Zoe has earned First Honors every semester while also maintaining a second 4.0 GPA at Russian School, which she attends twice a week. Her commitment to excellence is matched by her involvement in student leadership and extracurriculars—she serves as Ecology Commissioner on the Student Council, is a spirited member of the cheer squad, and an active Scout with the St. George Pathfinders. Whether she’s leading a team, a class, or a community initiative, Zoe brings passion, discipline, and purpose to everything she does.
Adrianna Chu
NorStar 16-1 | Junior
Adrianna is a dedicated and well-rounded junior who balances academic excellence, athletic commitment, and community leadership with remarkable poise. Holding a 4.2 GPA, she maintains strong academic performance while participating in school and club volleyball, Mock Trial, and the National Honor Society.
Adrianna plays a key role in her school community—helping plan dances, supporting student events, and volunteering wherever she’s needed. She also served as the coordinator for NorStar’s Holiday Gift Drive, which collected gifts valued at over $5,000 for foster children during the holiday season. Known for her exceptional time management and reliability, Adrianna leads by example, consistently showing up for her teammates, classmates, and community with heart and commitment.
Kimberly Lai NorStar 16-1 | Sophomore • Saint Francis High School
Kimberly is a well-rounded student-athlete whose leadership, academic achievement, and service to others make her a standout both on and off the court. A varsity setter for the Saint Francis High School volleyball team, Kimberly helped lead her team to a CIF Central Coast Section Championship and a NorCal second-place finish, earning the Scholar-Athlete Award in the process.
Academically, Kimberly maintains a 3.9 GPA and takes on college-level coursework through dual enrollment at De Anza College, earning top marks in both Nutrition and Kinesiology. She is a member of the President’s Circle, where she supports mentorship and leadership initiatives, and serves in the school’s Diversity in Leadership subgroup.
Deeply committed to community service, Kimberly volunteers with Child Advocates of Silicon Valley, cares for infants at First Step Daycare, supports Second Harvest Food Bank, and coaches volleyball for 12–14-year-olds. She also helped coordinate the NorStar Holiday Gift Drive, which successfully collected over 160 gifts for foster children. Kimberly's compassion, leadership, and dedication are evident in every area of her life.
Emi Yu-Yang NorStar 16-1 | Sophomore
Emi is a focused and high-achieving sophomore who maintains a 4.5 weighted GPA while excelling in a challenging academic schedule that includes Honors Chemistry, AP U.S. History, and AP Calculus AB. A dedicated student-athlete, Emi balances rigorous coursework, competitive volleyball, extracurricular involvement, and volunteer work with discipline and determination. Her commitment to excellence and quiet leadership make her a standout in every space she enters.
Ilsa Carlson
NorStar 15-1 | Freshman · Burlingame High School
IIlsa is an accomplished freshman at Burlingame High School, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA and has earned the Award of Excellence in Spanish and Language Arts, along with a Certificate of Biliteracy in Spanish. Her academic accomplishments reflect both her dedication and her passion for language and communication.
On the court, Ilsa made an immediate impact as the starting pin hitter on the varsity volleyball team, helping lead the team to the Open Division of CCS and a run to the state tournament—a rare achievement for a freshman.
Her commitment to community is equally impressive. She traveled to Costa Rica with her Spanish immersion class, participating in environmental and community service projects, and regularly volunteers with animals at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Whether she’s contributing on the court, in the classroom, or in her community, her dedication, compassion, and drive make her a well-rounded and inspiring student-athlete.
Rucha Patil
NorStar 15-1 | Freshman · Saratoga High School
Rucha is a dedicated and forward-thinking freshman at Saratoga High School, where she maintains straight A’s while enrolled in advanced coursework. With a strong passion for both healthcare and business, Rucha is actively involved in several school clubs that align with her academic and career interests.
Demonstrating early leadership and global awareness, she founded the International Impact Club at her school to support underprivileged communities around the world. Through this initiative, she has organized and led multiple fundraising events aimed at making a meaningful difference. In her local community, Rucha has also volunteered at blood donation drives and other service-focused efforts, showing her deep commitment to social causes. This summer, she will be furthering her business education through a selective program at UCLA, continuing her journey as a thoughtful, driven, and community-minded student leader.
Thank you to these incredible student-athletes for your hard work, leadership, and heart—and to the parents and families who support them every step of the way. Today, we also recognize all NorStar student-athletes and student-athletes around the world who balance school, sports, and service with passion and perseverance. Your efforts do not go unnoticed—you inspire us all.
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