INSPIRING EXCELLENCE: Townsquare Media is partnering with Tuscaloosa City Schools, Child Abuse Prevention Services and the Tuscaloosa Police Department to highlight and recognize one Inspiring Excellence Student Of The Month from each of the 21 schools in the district during the 2024-2025 school year. Every month, a few outstanding TCS students will be highlighted in this series until an award is presented at every school.

(Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)
(Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)
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A 5th grader at University Place Elementary School was honored for the example she sets during a presentation in front of her class last week.

Her classmates cheered and her mother fought tears as Ana Mateo Sebastian was named the school's Inspiring Excellence Student for this academic year.

Ana Mateo Sebastian is an awesome student who works tirelessly to achieve her academic goals," UPES principal Nakelya Mullins wrote. "She is a true leader and strives every day to be kind and respectful to all adults and peers."

"Ana knows how to be responsible and is a leader of her own learning. She continues to excel in reading and math by making excellent grades and mastering 5th-grade standards," she continued. "I'm elated to nominate her as an Inspiring Excellence recipient as she is most deserving. She makes good choices daily and tries her very best every day."

In a ceremony last week, the outstanding student was presented with gifts from Townsquare Media and the police department. She was also interviewed by TCS staff and the Big Dawg Dre Day, and a message from the 5th grader will play on all eight of Townsquare's local radio stations.

(Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)
(Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)
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"I've seen this award given to other students in other years, and I really am happy for this year," Sebastian said. "I'm a student ambassador in this school and I see these students and I want to see them grow. Even if my little siblings were here, I would want to watch them grow to be the best kids I could ever know in the future."

(Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)
(Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)
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Sebastian said she wants to become a doctor or a surgeon when she grows up, or a sheriff's deputy or police officer.

She also said being chosen by the staff at University Place and recognized for her character is the highlight of the six years she's studied there.

"This will be my best memory of all I have at this school and I've been here since Pre-K!" she said. "I could never believe I would ever get this gift and hopefully one of y'all future kids, you can always become one of us too because in this school, we learn and strive for excellence."

For features from the other 20 or so Tuscaloosa City Schools this academic year, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.

Top Stories from the Tuscaloosa Thread (9/23 - 9/30)

11 of the Top Stories published by the Tuscaloosa Thread during the 39th week of 2024, which brought a whole gaggle of VIPS to town to watch Alabama upset the Georgia Bulldogs in an instant classic on Saban Field.

Gallery Credit: (Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)