Shelby Zoccano Gracefully Excels

Name: Shelby Zoccano

Age: 11

School: , grade 4

Shelby Zoccano, a humanitarian, math whiz, dancer and all-around giving person, was nominated as an East Haven Whiz Kid by her fourth grade teacher, Cheryl Syc, for her excellence in math. Her nomination was seconded by Math Coach Heather Anselmi.

"Shell," as she is mostly called by her peers and teachers, has contributed much to her school, always helping others, and is dressed always as a "girlie girl." She adores wearing dresses, and being very feminine; her accessories are always a match from her head down to her toes.

The daughter of Margaret and Robert Zoccano, she is one of 11 who lives in her household. Shelby has numerous brothers and sisters who help contribute to her successes.

Activities:

Shelby is a dancer. “She has been attending dance classes in the art of ballet for four years at Star Ship Dance Studios in Guilford under the direction of Joyce DiLaura,” said mom, Margaret Zoccano. “My daughter is very creative and pays strong attention to everything she does.”

She is also a musician, learning to play the flute and piano with help and instruction from her older brothers, Robert and John.

“During her spare time, Shelby loves to help her nephew Nathan, who is four, and niece, McKenzie, five. They are very special to her. They idolize her. She is ‘their big sister,’" Margaret said.

McKenzie and Nathan are the children of Shelby's oldest sibling, Jessica, who is 26.

In addition to the quality time this young lady spends with her large family, she also enjoys playing with her pets. Julie, Crystal and Tony are her cats, and the family dog named Juliette is a black lab mix.

Other Interests:

Shelby loves crabbing with dad, Robert. Her favorite past-time with him is going to on Main Street for a treat. She also spends quite a bit of time with her older sister Allie, who she calls "the nanny in the family."

Shelby plays the flute, and aspires to continue in the art of music with the help of older brothers Robert, 18, and Leander, 22 (who is the drummer in the family).

“Our family is very musical,” Robert and Margaret said of their children.

Robert plays the saxophone and piano, while John, 17, is a guitarist. “Their interest in music has definitely filtered down to Shelby,” her parents said.

Future Plans:

In the fall, Shelby will be attending Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School in New Haven, where she can flourish in her creativity with ballet and music. She'll also continue at Starship Dance.

Accomplishments and the "Key to Awesomeness" pretty much go hand in hand for Shelby, as a student and the youngest member of such a large family.

“Shelby has become a leader in my math class," said Cheryl Syc. "She is always on task and ready to give an answer. She has learned the most important value in education: 'give it your best shot.’ Her hand is up whether she is correct or not (which most times she is). She tries. She has inspired many other students with her positive attitude. When she completes her work she is ready and eager to help another student that might be having a little trouble. Her encouragement and care are assets that make her a special person.”

Margaret said Shelby is an incredible giver and is always willing to do something for somebody else.

“She never thinks of herself,” Margaret said. “With her weekly allowance of only $4, she loves to go to the dollars stores and buy things for McKenzie and Nathan. A few months ago we went to a tag sale where she saw this little wind-up music box that was a piano, and she bought it for her other teacher, Michael Cretella, who is an avid and accomplished pianist.”

Shelby seems to always surprise her mom by helping to clean the house, picking flowers for someone, baking for her teachers and friends.

“My daughter is thoughtful and kind to everyone, her loving and giving ways will take her far in life.”