Makayla Rillamas (’18) and the other February Students of the Month were featured in the Free Lance Star this week for their accomplishments. The Fredericksburg Optimist Club nominated Rillamas, along with other exemplary students in the country, for her academic and extracurricular achievements.

Rillamas is a member of National Honors Society, Environmental Club, and Young Democrats and the recipient of several academic and art related awards. She also helped organize the #NeverAgain walk-in on March 14, and volunteers at the SPCA.Rillamas says that she was surprised to receive the award.

“I wasn’t really aware of the award, or that people knew who I was enough to nominate me, so it was definitely a shock,” Rillamas said.

Despite her modesty, Rillamas has big plans for the furture. She intends to continue her achievements at George Mason University in the fall, where she will work toward a degree in environmental and sustainability studies, with a minor in art as a social change.

“I want to go into the Peace Corps and educate the world on environmental issues,” Rillamas said. “Integrating art into that would be great, because that’s something that I’m really passionate about.”

After the invaluable experience the Peace Corps has to offer, Rillamas plans toreturn and further her degree in environmental and humanitarian work.