T-R PHOTO BY ADAM SODDERS — Hoglan second-grader Auriedys Moya Maldonado shows one of her drawings featuring a cheetah, butterflies, flowers and sunshine.

Hoglan second-grader Auriedys Moya Maldonado, who goes by Auri, did not talk much when she came to Deb Friday’s class in the fall.

That has all changed, though, and Auri is showing more and more confidence each day, adding to an already stellar work ethic.

“I like to do art. I like to draw cats,” Auri said of one of her favorite in-school activities.

She said some of her cat drawings and writings are based on her own pet cat, a large, grey-and-black feline.

Whatever activity is going on in the classroom, Auri’s teachers said she is focused.

“Auri is a student who has lots of determination and desire to learn. She’s always eager, she’s always asking questions,” Friday said. “She is very studious. She works hard throughout the day, from the moment she comes in.”

Special education teacher Paula Whipple said Auri’s growing confidence has been inspiring to watch.

“She takes responsibility for her learning,” she said. “If she’s reading along and doesn’t know what something is, she will ask about it to learn what it is so that she understands what she’s reading.”

Friday said Auri is now a great classroom helper, even going as far as to call the roll in the morning by talking to each student in the classroom.

At home, Auri said she likes to play with her toys.

“I like to play with my toys. Like, I have some food toys … like tamales and tomatoes,” she said.

Auri said she also likes playing games with her dolls, including having tea parties. She also likes to imagine herself as a teacher and said that is what she wants to do when she is grown up.

Friday said she has no doubt Auri will find success.

“She’s just shown so much growth, and the growth is because of what she’s done, because she’s worked so hard,” she said.

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Contact Adam Sodders at

(641) 753-6611 or

asodders@timesrepublican.com