Left to right: Danielle Padula, Jessica Kokoszki, Kimora Lee Simmons, Evelyn Sheen and Khinsoe Moe
We would like to congratulate the following Utica City School District Women of Distinction!
Evelyn Sheen is an ambitious, efficient, empathetic, and altruistic student. She has challenged herself by taking honors, advanced placement, and dual credit college level courses. Despite her rigorous academic course load, she has maintained a 95.794 GPA and will graduate with an Advanced Regents Diploma this coming June. Evelyn also has participated in the following extracurricular activities at school and in the community: National Honor Society (Vice President), Student Council (Secretary), Senior Class Officer (Vice President), Key Club (Vice President), Varsity Tennis (Captain), Future Educators of America Club, Business Stock Investment Club, Varsity Golf, JROTC (Executive Officer), and pianist in church ministries at St. Anthony and St. Louis Gonzaga Churches. Evelyn is very involved in many activities and clubs but when you ask her how she manages her time with activities, school, and family her reply is “balance”. She is very proud of herself and what she was able to accomplish in four years of high school with her leaderships roles and giving back to her community. Evelyn is a role model student at Thomas R. Proctor High School that will be greatly missed after she graduates, as she made a tremendous impact in her four years of high school.
Kimora Lee Simmons is an outstanding student who enjoys challenging herself in the classroom by taking advanced placement and dual credit courses to maintain 88.759 GPA. Kimora is part of the Young Scholars Program and was selected due to her motivation and talent. Kimora has also participated in the following extracurricular activities at school and in the community: Varsity Tennis (Captain), NJROTC (Public Affair Office), Junior Class Officer-Treasurer, and Senior Class Officer-President. Kimora is a motivated, consistent, optimistic, and caring student. In addition to her school and community activities, she has also held multiple part time jobs averaging approximately 20 hours per week in the community. Kimora has built invaluable skills for the future through learning independence, time management, and financial responsibility as a result of being employed. Kimora strives to continue her education after high school and would like to make her family, especially her sisters, proud of her accomplishments.
Jessica Kokoszki, also known as Mrs. Koko to her students, is an English teacher at Donovan Middle School. Mrs. Kokoszki was nominated by Gina Buono, a fellow teacher and colleague, for her 21st Century Program, Karma Klub. Through Jessica’s innovative idea she and her students launched the “Karma Kloset”. The “Karma Kloset” is a pantry at school that provides clothes, shoes, and hygiene items to students at no cost. The Karma Klub lends itself to helping the community as well! Students through Jessica’s leadership, made holiday stockings for a homeless shelter, wrote letters to Veterans, created homemade cat toys for a cat rescue and participated in the Angel Card Project. Mrs. Kokoszki also volunteers her own time through the Young Scholar LLP Program, mentoring at-risk students. She is also a team leader of the ELA and music departments at Donovan Middle School.
Khinsoe Moe is an Academic Coach/Program Manager for the Utica City School District. Khinsoe was nominated by her pastor, Pastor Debbie Kelsey. Pastor Debbie states that Khinsoe has outstanding humility, sacrifice, respect, and compassion for others. Khinsoe is an incredibly hard-working woman who also volunteers in her congregation. Being a refugee herself, Khinsoe has the perspective to really help others and be an advocate for new families and a liaison between families and the District. Khinsoe is a beacon for families in good times and when they are going through a difficult period, always a source of light for families and her community.
Danielle Padula is a dedicated, passionate, caring soul that has made an impact on hundreds of lives. As the Executive Director of Broadway Utica, Mrs. Padula has been a vibrant, crucial part of shaping Utica through its art scene, which by extension shapes Utica as a whole. The art scene is an integral component of Utica, and the city would be completely different without it. Broadway Utica is instrumental in so many ways to the community, boosting the economy, bringing the arts, hosting fun events, and providing opportunities to the young. In addition to her contributions to the arts, Mrs. Padula is also a valuable member of the Utica City School District Board of Education, serving as the current vice-president, as well as committee member on multiple Board of Education committees. Mrs. Padula’s dedication to the students of this District shows her commitment to the community in which she serves.