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Senior Spotlight: Dimitri James Voulelikas
by Leslie Estrada, Editor-in-chief
Dimitri is someone you
want to be around. From the first time you talk to him, you can see
what an amazing guy he is. He has so much talent and still stands
down to earth. I love him" says fellow friend and classmate,
Victoria Marceau. Dimitri James Voulelikas was born on September 29,
1989 in Point Claire, Quebec and is of Greek, Sicilian and Turkish
ancestry.
He moved to El Segundo 8 and ½ years ago, since he was
in the 4th grade and was easily accepted by everyone. "Actually, my
favorite age was when I was 4, in kindergarten; all I remember is
that it was a blast. I loved learning my name". Since Dimitri
doesn't have any brothers or sisters, he did other things to occupy
his time, "I learned Tae Kwon Do and soccer for a while, and I won
the state championship one year".
He's had many people say nothing but great things about
him, and one of these friends volunteered themselves to comment on
him "Dimitri is a good Samaritan, he once in 4th grade told me that
I was fat- and that motivated me to not be as fat. Thanks Dimitri, I
owe you one!" said his buddy Sam Green. His kindness and gentleness
probably came from the people he looks up to. His heroes as a child
included his father and mother- "They kept me in line and didn't
spoil me too much. Good role models"- his granddads on both sides,
and hockey legends Scott Stevens, Ted Bertuzzi, and Mario Lemieux.
Ice hockey has been a great part of Dimitri's life,
"I've been playing ice hockey for 9 years, and club ice hockey 4
years during high school, and was MVP in the Greater Richmond Area
AAA Midget Hocket tournament and in league, leader in penalty
minutes".
One thing that stands out about Dimitri is his
outstanding academic excellence, "I've had straight A's every year
of my life; I've received the John Hopkin's award for the gifted
[twice], I've been the Student of the Year a few times at the [El
Segundo] middle school". Dr. Webb, the principle of ESMS, commended
Dimitri in an assembly for his scholastic merit, and was on the
Superintendent's honor roll for 6th, 7th and 8th grade.
Once Dimitri entered high school, it only got better
for him. "I joined the Sierra Club, the Backpacking, German, French
and Robotics club. I'm also an active member of Surfrider and Heal
the Bay". A typical weekend for Dimitri would include: hockey, doing
his homework [like the good boy he is], "hopefully spending some
time with the homies, and possibly one lucky girl". When asked about
partying, he said, "Parties are overrated and it's usually more fun
to just kick it. I love the ocean". Dimitri's friends seem to take
up a large part of his heart, "I just wanted to make a few shout
outs to all the homies. Nixon, Ben Daly, Sollee, Kellye Larsen,
Amy, Kelley, Kelcie, the beautiful and amazing Victoria Marceau,
Devon Maloney, Lily Ronney, Taylor Johnson, Sancho Verde with his
lumberjack shoulders, Brett Lopez, Stephanie Ng and George Harris".
Dimitri has been taking everything with careful caution
and just makes sure that he keeps his grades high. With a 4.6
overall G.P.A, he anticipates to keep his rank as number 1 in the
senior class- "hopefully I'll be valedictorian for graduation, but
we'll see, some people are striving pretty hard to compete". He has
taken several Advanced Placement and honors courses at his time
here, of those which include: AP US History, Calculus, Physics,
Literature, Economics, and Calculus 2 at Loyola Marymount
University, and Honors Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, and English 9
through 11. When Dimitri was asked which teachers he favored the
most, he said, "My favorite teachers are Mrs. Clemmer and Mrs.
Stucken. Both have interactive styles of teaching and make their
classes very enjoyable". Besides the demanding classes, he had time
to play sports as well, "I've played water polo 2 years, varsity
swim team 4 years, ice hockey for the high school 4 years". He has
won several scholarships and award in his short time in high school.
Dimitri is a National Merit Scholar, National Merit Commendation,
scored a perfect 6 on his Henry Ford essay from Mrs. Brown's
freshman honors class, and a Boy's State delegate this past summer
at Sacramento State.
"After shool, I would do my homework, workout, eat,
play hockey, eat again, workout again. I'm also a scorekeepers and
staff member at Toyota Sports Center". Dimitri is applying to very
prestigious schools, and with his 2000 on his SAT, he hopes to
attend Princeton, Harvard, Cornell or Georgetown, where he will
major in Economics/ Political Science or Business. "I hope to become
an international delegate or maybe become involved in the government
here, in Canada or in Italy; I'm an Italian citizen, so I could
reside in Europe".
Dimitri's ambition and determination will definitely
reinforce his chances at achieving his future dreams and
aspirations, and he will make an excellent contribution to our world
in the long run.
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