At just 11 years old, Dorcas Dovo already carries herself with a wisdom that feels far beyond her years. A sixth grader at Central Intermediate School, she radiates optimism, humor, and empathy — qualities that have not gone unnoticed by the adults and peers around her.

Dorcas is quick to describe sixth grade as “nice, but a lot of work.” She approaches the challenge with self-awareness. Reading has been a hurdle, she admits, but she recognizes the value of defining the problem and working on it. “When I practice too much, I get stressed and stutter,” she explains, “but if I just read, I do fine.” She gravitates toward graphic novels like The Babysitters Club and even uses YouTube captions to sharpen her reading. “Learning is everywhere,” she says matter-of-factly.

Her responses reveal a natural critical thinker. When asked if Central is the best school, she pauses before answering. “I haven’t seen junior high or high school yet,” she reasons. “So I can’t say this is the best.” That measured response impressed me, and I told her plainly: those are the qualities of a lawyer. Dorcas smiled, because law is already one of her dream careers.

Like many imaginative young people, Dorcas has considered a range of futures. For a time, she dreamed of being a teen FBI agent, inspired by the investigative shows she watched. More recently, she has been drawn to law, admiring the way lawyers “don’t just put facts out there — they secure them with evidence.” It is no coincidence that I noticed her careful weighing of questions and her ability to think critically from multiple angles. “Law might be your thing,” I told her. Dorcas answered with characteristic openness: “Maybe”.

Beyond law and FBI badges, Dorcas also dreams through stories. She is writing her own novel, complete with a character named Amy who wakes from a coma only to discover she has lost her memory. Inspired by animated stories online, Dorcas builds narratives filled with friendship, conflict, and resilience. Though she jokes about “writer’s block,” she clearly has the instincts of a storyteller — building characters, sketching scenes, and wrestling with the universal challenge of getting words from mind to page.

What stands out most about Dorcas, however, is not only her imagination but her compassion. Teachers and staff describe her as a natural helper, someone who notices when others are struggling and steps in. She remembers it beginning in kindergarten, when classmates got hurt. “I’d tell them it’s going to be okay,” she recalls. “They felt like little siblings, and I wanted to help them.” That role has only grown. Today, she assists other students with translation, helping them bridge the language gap as they adjust to school in Monmouth-Roseville.

It’s a gift, one rooted in her own family’s story.

Dorcas’s parents immigrated from Togo in West Africa, bringing with them not only their own resilience but also a spirit of service. They speak French, English, and Ewe languages, and have provided translation services for the district, helping other families feel welcomed and understood. Dorcas follows in their footsteps, connecting peers across languages and cultures.

Her cultural background also shapes her daily life in small but meaningful ways. She laughs about her favorite breakfast — African porridge or egg and toast drizzled with syrup — and recalls family “ice cream deals,” where if the temperature climbs above 90 degrees, everyone gets a cone. These little traditions keep her grounded while also highlighting the richness she brings from her heritage.

Dorcas’s outlook on life is striking in its positivity. “Every day is a fresh day,” she says. “If I’m feeling down, I think about what will make me happy — like recess, or breakfast, or my mom cooking my favorite food. Even if I have a quiz, there’s something to be grateful for.”

That gratitude, paired with her empathy, makes her stand out as one of what Fred Rogers once called “the helpers.” She is aware of the needs of others, quick to comfort, and eager to give her best. Whether she becomes a lawyer, an author, or something else entirely, she is already shaping her school community for the better.

Dorcas Dovo may only be in sixth grade, but she has already shown that empathy, critical thinking, and imagination can be powerful forces — not someday, but right now.