Vote for The Fayetteville Observer's Student of the Week for March 18-22

It's time to vote on The Fayetteville Observer's Student of the Week for March 18-22, and this week, we have three impressive students.

Each week, local high schools nominate students for their outstanding academic and school achievements and community service. Readers will be able to cast their votes for The Fayetteville Observer Student of the Week between 5 a.m. Monday and noon Thursday every week during the traditional school year. We'll announce each week's winner at 5 a.m. Friday.

High school administrators or teachers who want to submit a nomination or have questions about the program can email studentoftheweek@fayobserver.com. Nominations are open now for next week's poll, but please remember that only school staff can nominate students.

Scroll to the bottom of the story to vote in the poll, and make sure to read the nominations before you vote. The nominations have been edited for style and grammar.

Laila Johnson, junior, Massey Hill Classical High School

Laila Johnson is a junior at Massey Hill Classical High School and maintains an "A" average in her grades. She enjoys reading. Whenever she has alone time you can find her reading a book. She also enjoys hanging out with her friends and cooking. She is looking forward to becoming an RN nurse. She has a passion for helping others. She is the oldest of four children and loves spending time with her family. Laila also works at Publix grocery store as a cashier and bagger. She has a beautiful personality and she gets along with her peers well.

Ghaida Saleh, junior, Cumberland Academy

She is an exemplary 11th-grade student who has consistently demonstrated dedication, leadership, and a passion for learning throughout her academic journey.

This year, Ghaida took on the vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA) role, following her service as secretary last year. Her progression within the SGA showcases her willingness to grow and contribute to our school community. Ghaida has displayed outstanding skills in her leadership positions, playing a key role in organizing numerous successful events and initiatives. Notably, she spearheaded the implementation of Meet-up Mondays, facilitating face-to-face interactions to foster engagement beyond the virtual classroom. Additionally, Ghaida's original poetry, shared with faculty and staff on various occasions, has significantly contributed to cultivating a safe and caring environment at Cumberland Academy.

In addition to her extracurricular involvement, Ghaida excels in her academic pursuits, as evidenced by her pursuit of completing high school in three years instead of the standard four. This achievement underscores her unwavering work ethic and dedication to her studies. Furthermore, Ghaida diligently attends Arabic school to deepen her understanding of her religion, Islam, which demands rigorous memorization and discipline.

Ghaida's contributions to our school community are invaluable, and she truly embodies the spirit of the Student of the Week award. I wholeheartedly believe that she is an excellent candidate deserving of this recognition.

Nicole Wetzbarger, senior, Pine Forest High School

Nicole is an outstanding student; she is a member of multiple extracurriculars and is the current PFHS Student Body President. At the beginning of this year, she designed and orchestrated a safe driving campaign for her fellow classmates. Nicole implemented this program because she saw a need for awareness and she designed an initiative to address it. Moreover, she was a finalist for the prestigious Morehead Cain Scholarship at UNC Chapel Hill and was recently chosen as an alternate for the NC State Parks Scholarship.