This week’s Valley Sun All- Star plans on doing more with his life beyond high school than catching a wave on the beautiful waters of the Pacific Ocean.
St. Francis High School junior Ricky Rhodes’ passion for surfing has led him to a desire to make a positive global impact with his life.
“I want to do something that helps the world,” he said, adding, “I want to help preserve the ocean and the rainforests.”
Rhodes was nominated as an All-Star by staff at St. Francis High School, where he has proved himself to be a positive influence on others, as well as a highly motivated scholar, musician and athlete.
“Ricky brings an exceptional amount of positive, constructive energy to the classroom,” said Michael Cannon, science department chair at St Francis High School.
Cannon was Rhodes’ science teacher and, he said, Rhodes is a “pleasure to have in class.” He’s hoping the youth opts to enroll in his AP biology class.
“Most [people] might think that the AP’s are for the brain trust at the school,” Cannon said. “Ricky might fall into that class of students; however, it’s his enthusiasm and high energy that would earn him an invite to AP. He is a real kid, with a great smile and a pleasant ‘How are you, Mr. Cannon?’”
Rhodes is the son of Catherine and Rick Rhodes of Los Angeles. He attended the Oakes School in Hollywood for elementary school and the Wesley School, also in Hollywood, for seventh- and eighth-grade, before transferring to La Cañada’s St. Francis High School for ninth-grade.
He has two younger sisters, Elizabeth, 14, and Hannah, 13, both students at Immaculate Heart School in Riverside.
Ricky Rhodes said he enjoys spending time with his “smarter” little sisters, “They have 3.97 GPAs and I only have about a 3.7 or 3.8,” he explained.
He and his sisters share their father’s passion for surfing. Ricky’s dad gave him his first surfboard at the age of 9. “That was pretty special,” he said.
The family enjoys local surfing, as well as trips to catch waves in Costa Rica and El Salvador. Although his mom doesn’t surf, “she’s always on the beach cheering us on,” he said.
Rhodes also is involved in chess club, the National Honor Society, film club, and plans to start a surfing club at the high school. He enjoys playing bass guitar and has played piano for about nine years.
IF YOU’D LIKE TO NOMINATE an exceptional young person who lives in La Cañada or is a student here to be a Valley Sun All-Star, please e-mail us at lnews@valleysun.net.
