December 15, 2018

To Whom It May Concern:

It is with great honor that I write a letter of recommendation for Ms. Rhiannon Olivarez-Kidwell. I have
known Rhiannon for two and a half years. I first met Rhiannon when she enrolled in my Advanced
Placement Biology class in 2016-2017. Rhiannon is in the top 1% of her class and is one the best
students I have encountered. She is intelligent, responsible, and highly motivated to learn and practice
science.

Rhiannon’s strength is her motivation to learn combined with her ability to grasp concepts quickly.
Rhiannon was a sophomore in my AP Biology course, a rigorous course that challenges even the top
students in their junior and senior year. As a sophomore, she completed the class with a 98%. She was
always prepared for class by reading ahead and doing additional research. She consistently contributed
to class discussions and asked thoughtful and critical questions that directed her own learning.
Furthermore, she was phenomenal in the lab environment, working well with others to complete each
lab with accuracy and diligence and writing lab reports that were college level and beyond. For these
reasons, she would be an exceptional student in your program.

Rhiannon’s efforts extend beyond the classroom. At the age of 12, Rhiannon was diagnosed with
adrenal insufficiency. This condition created many challenges for herself and her family. Despite her
doctors and her family recommendations that she not play sports or participate in activities that can
cause stress, she started swimming at 13 and has been part of the JV and Varsity Swimming and
Waterpolo team since. In 2017, she competed and won the Miss Merced County’s Outstanding Teen, the
Spirit of Miss America, and was a finalist for the Miss California State. Today, Rhiannon is an advocate
for people with adrenal insufficiency. She creates awareness for the condition through a social media
account and by sending hand made blue ribbons to people all over the world. Needless to say,
Rhiannon’s condition was not a challenge but rather an aspect of her life that motivates her to pursue
science and to use her experience and knowledge to change lives.

Rhiannon has goals to complete high school in the top 1% of her class, attend a research university, and
obtain a medical degree to become an Endocrinologist. With Rhiannon’s skill set, work ethic, and drive,
I am confident that she will reach all of her goals. I highly recommend her.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Yer Lawson
AP Biology Teacher
ylawson@muhsd.org