Maintaining the grade

Siblings Brianna and Jonathan Smith smile as they discuss each other’s accomplishments. Combined, they have about 100 awards neatly displayed on shelves and walls in the basement of their North Side home, not for bragging rights but as a reminder that hard work pays off.

“Jonathan and Brianna are cool because they don’t flaunt their success,” said their aunt Kim Rusho, “They are quiet, polite and just plain nice.” They also support each other wholeheartedly.

Both attend Garry Middle School. Brianna, 12, is a seventh-grader, and Jonathan, 14, is an eighth-grader. Both are 4.0 students. Both have earned the President’s Award numerous times. The most important rule in their household is to maintain their grades. “Your education is the most important job you have as a young person,” said Jonathan.

Jonathan has a black belt in karate and has excelled in basketball since he first bounced a ball when he was 3. His goals are to be either a basketball player for the NBA or an architect.

Brianna has been dancing for 10 years and has been involved in the Northwest Miss Pageant for the past four years. Her goals are to be either a dance instructor in her own studio or a dental technician.

Jonathan’s character earned him a bike in the sixth grade, and Brianna was recently crowned Overall Supreme Princess at the Sunburst USA pageant, but they don’t stand on pedestals. With both feet planted firmly on the ground, they move toward their futures. They plan on going to Whitworth College, and if they win more awards along the way, so be it. The journey will be that much sweeter.