Dalton Rogers, 2012 Seymour Award Finalist

Vicky Edwards, CSF advisor at Harmony Magnet Academy, has worked with Dalton in his capacities as CSF President, ASB President, AP English student, and as a teacher's assistant. Ms. Edwards sees Dalton as a model student, the kind of student who invokes in his teachers "the optimism with which we entered this career". Ms. Edwards goes on to describe Dalton as "a young man of incredible integrity, being honest, trustworthy, and conscientious in all aspects of his life". She tells of Dalton giving himself the goal of trying to be more like a "regular high school kid", taking more time to enjoy the little things in life, like "hanging out with friends, going to the movies, and doing things that don't involve quite so much responsibility". She says, in regards to this statement, "We all laughed at him (including him) because we knew how hard this would be for him". Ms. Edwards wouldn't be surprised to see Dalton one day running for a high-ranking political office, and says she will vote for him in a heartbeat, and get everyone she knows to vote for him "because he is such a model individual who aspires to all that is just and good".

Outside of school, among other community activities, Dalton has spent four years as an officer in the City of Porterville Youth commission. Donnie Moore, the Leisure Services Superintendent for the City of Porterville has watched Dalton grow as "a quality individual" and "a true leader". She expresses that Dalton has an unbelievable work ethic, exudes confidence, and doesn't let tough situations faze him.

In his personal statement, Dalton tells the story of an out-of-control city council meeting, which he attended as Student Body President. He says that this type of negative political situation has inspired him to become a politician, but to be "a different kind of political leader", where with "integrity, courage, and selfless devotion" he can set aside party lines or personal benefit in order to have a positive impact as a leader. It is no surprise that in the fall Dalton will major in political science at the University of California Merced.