Emily DeLuca earns Christa McAuliffe Character Award
A fifth-grade student, selected by her teacher at Oasis Elementary School North, recently was awarded the 2025 Christa McAuliffe Character Award during the school’s graduation ceremony.
“Emily DeLuca was chosen as the recipient of the 5th Grade Christa McAuliffe Character Award because she consistently demonstrates kindness, honesty, and respect in everything she does. Whether offering a helping hand to a classmate, or showing care and consideration to everyone around her, Emily leads by example. Her positive attitude and strong character help create a classroom environment where everyone feels valued and supported. Emily truly embodies the spirit of this award,” Oasis Elementary School North Principal Kevin Brown said.
The annual award is presented to a student who exemplifies determination, honesty, grit, kindness and has active school involvement. The Christa McAuliffe Character Award honors the legacy of Christa McAuliffe — an educator and astronaut.
Cheryl DeLuca, her mother, said they did not know the award existed. She said when they started listing off characteristics of the student, she instantly thought they resembled those of her daughter. When her teacher walked on stage, it was exciting when her daughter was recognized.
The award was given during the fifth grade graduation ceremony, which the majority of her family had attended.
“It was special because it was great to see a school recognize things outside of just grades. There are a lot of things that matter in making a well-rounded person,” Cheryl said, adding that everything for which her daughter was recognized at school, she exemplifies outside of the classroom as well.
When Emily was called up on stage in front of everyone, she said she was nervous because everyone was staring at her.
“It felt good. I received a really important award,” she said, of the surprise.
Emily said to receive the award you have to be kind and helpful, honest and a good friend. She accomplished some of these through holding the door for someone, or telling a teacher when one of her classmates got hurt.
The soon-to-be sixth grader was also a safety patrol during her fifth-grade year, another opportunity to help. Responsibilities included opening and closing the car door in pick-up line and saying have a nice day, or walking the halls to make sure everyone was doing the right thing. Emily said she also helped students find a classroom on the first day of school.
To become a safety patrol, a teacher has to nominate a student and learn what the task entails at the end of their fourth-grade year.
Emily also helped her friends at school.
“My friend last year wasn’t that good at math, and I am really good at math, so I helped her with problems,” she said.
In addition to school, Emily also plays travel soccer, a sport she started five years ago. She said she enjoys the game because she makes new friends, and she enjoys playing the sport and traveling to such places as Alabama and Virgina to play.
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