Editorial: Shining stars on academic stage

For a time Tuesday night, all the talk about the dire cuts facing the state's public education system was shunted aside as educators, students, family and friends cheered Ventura County's top academic achievers during the 2011 Star Scholar awards.

This marks the 28th year that The Star, in conjunction with the Ventura County Office of Education, the Ventura County Community Foundation and County Schools Federal Credit Union, has recognized students who stand out as the very best.

Altogether, 87 high school seniors were in the spotlight for their commitment to learning, to volunteering and to their schools. These high-achieving students from the Class of 2011 were selected for the honor by school principals and counselors. The students will receive a scholarship from the community foundation.

Taking top honors Tuesday as the recipient of the $5,000 Julius Gius Star Scholarship award was Rio Mesa High School student Sne Kanji.

Sne, who carries a 4.3 grade-point average, is still undecided on a college, but once that decision is made, she will be working toward a career in medicine, possibly majoring in molecular and cell biology.

Outside of her studies, Sne is a member of the school's marching and concert bands and participates in dance classes. She also volunteers at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo.

Relying on her own resolve and the support of her parents, Sne has excelled despite a traditional belief by members of her extended family that she should not go to college. In her scholarship essay, Sne wrote about the difficult relationship with some relatives and how she endured taunts and snide remarks about her commitment to learning.

Her essay concluded with these thoughts: "I used to think education was something one uses to enlighten themselves but for me it has become much more than that. It has come to be my only way to remain free from the orthodox grips of my family. Education is my independence, especially as a woman in my family."

The Star Scholar program was the creation of the newspaper's legendary editor Julius Gius, who held that position from 1960 to 1988. Following his death in 1996, the Gius Star Scholarship was created as a testimony to all that he meant to The Star and the community.

The longtime editor surely would have agreed that all of Sne Kanji's achievements, along with the efforts of the other 86 scholarship recipients, point out the excellent work our county schools are doing day in and day out, despite difficult circumstances.

Congratulations to the very finest students in the classroom and in the community.