Brittney Adusei doesn’t miss an opportunity to play with other classmates who are feeling lonely.

“I try to cheer people up as much as I can,” said the Valhalla Elementary third-grader, who was nominated by her principal Erika Rudnicki for the Mirror’s February Scholar of the Month.

Brittney’s compassion for others is part of what makes her a natural leader, Rudnicki said.

What does it mean to Brittney to be a leader?

“To show what you’re supposed to do,” she said. “When you do that, people will want to start doing what you do.”

In addition, Brittney consistently embodies the school’s expectations of being safe, kind and productive, Rudnicki noted.

“Well sometimes when others are feeling sad, I try to help them and encourage them to do their best,” Brittney said of how she demonstrates the school’s expectations. “If they are struggling with something, I try to help them and see if something is wrong that is causing how they are feeling, and I try to make them feel better.”

In addition, Rudnicki said in the classroom Brittney always gives her best effort and helps others to do their best.

“Well I try my best and if I don’t get something, I ask my teacher to explain it more,” Brittney explained.

Rudnicki added Brittney has an outstanding work ethic and produces high quality work. She is self-motivated and always challenges herself to be at her best.

Brittney is also active in school activities, including as a member of the scholar advisor team and her participation in after school music activities.

When the scholar advisor team is coming up with ideas, Brittney said, “… We always think of fun things that would be good for the rest of the people in our school.”

Brittney dreams of becoming an artist or actor when she grows up.

“Since first grade I have been doing the musical and it’s really fun. It’s been helping me want to be an actor.”

What advice does Brittney have to help other students give their best?

She encourages students to “try new things.” Once you learn more about something it gets more exciting, she said.

More information

Nominations for the Mirror’s Scholar of the Month are based on a scholar’s perfect attendance, academic performance and their demonstration of positive and productive behaviors in school with no discipline.