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Tiara Anahi Muñoz, 18, of Sterling is one of Sterling High School’s January Students of the Month. She is the daughter of Theresa DePellegrin and Jose Muñoz, and she has a sister, Aleha, and a brother, Aldo.
Favorite class: Broadcasting, because I have been a part of the class since it first came to Sterling High School, and I get to be with the best teacher, Jennifer Lynn Drew, every day.
Least-favorite class: Statistics, because I am not as good at it as I was in precalculus. To be clearer, if the null hypothesis equaled being a statistician, I would reject the null every time.
Favorite teacher: Mrs. Drew is one of the most dedicated teachers. She always is there for not only me but also all of her students. No matter how frustrated I get, she's always still there for me.
School activities in which you participate: Cross country, basketball, soccer, Student Council, Latino Club, Mentor Club, National Honor Society and Movement Club.
Civic, church, volunteer or other activities in which you participate: For 3 years I volunteered at my local church to teach religious education. I am a girls U10 volunteer assistant coach for Sterling United Soccer Club, and also am a volunteer basketball coach at the YMCA.
Do you have a job? I work at the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA as a lifeguard and youth sports referee.
How would you describe your group of friends? Smart and athletic.
What will you do after high school? I will attend Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to play soccer and get my major in psychology. Then I plan to transfer to the University of Iowa to get my law degree and become a legal mediator.
What is something you learned in high school that you think you'll never use? How to find a mole in chemistry.
What kind of music are you listening to? I am most likely listening to 2000s R&B, hip-hop or country.
What's one thing in your life you can't do without? I cannot live without coffee.
What is your advice for surviving high school? Use this time to figure out how to manage your time. Do not take on too many activities, because once you get behind in school, it's hard to catch back up.
If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be? To have an open campus for lunch.
What scares you? Clowns and getting bad grades.
If you could try any job for the day, what would it be? It would definitely be Taylor Jackson's job as Sterling High School's head girls basketball coach. I love coaching basketball, and I would love to coach an entire game.
If you could go anywhere in the world for free, where would it be? Italy, because my family is half Italian, and I would love to see the other side of my heritage and see where my great-grandparents are from.
What is a good book you have read recently? "Kindred," by Octavia Butler. It is an amazing book.
What is your proudest moment? Getting offered to play collegiate soccer.
Who is your hero or role model? Martin Luther King Jr. He was a man who was hated by the majority, yet persevered through the hatred and rose up to the adversity by using his words and never giving up.
Is there anything else you want people to know about you? I want people know that everything I have accomplished was not handed to me; I work hard for everything I receive, in the classroom and on the field.
What is your life's philosophy? Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
What is your favorite…
App? Twitter
Food? Steak and potatoes
Games? Basketball and soccer
Movie? "Remember the Titans"
TV show? "Kim Possible"
Sports team? Sterling Golden Warriors