Fourteen-year-old Octavia Tolbert relished deciphering the imagery and symbolism of "Fahrenheit 451" in an advanced communications arts class at Lincoln Middle School last school year.
Octavia Tolbert is a ninth-grader at McCaskey High School.
"It took us a while to get it," she says of her class.
This year, Octavia is enrolled in ninth-grade honors communication arts at McCaskey.
To prepare for the course, she completed a summer project on the book "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman."
"I like reading, writing, poetry," she says. "It helps me express my thoughts and ideas."
At McCaskey, Octavia also will take art classes and may join the drama and/or writing clubs.
The teen worships at the Vineyard Heritage Center, where she sings in the youth choir and recently helped out at vacation Bible school.
She also had her first paying job this summer, as a junior counselor for the eight-week science camp for elementary-school students at Crispus Attucks.
After high school, Octavia plans to attend art school to be a fashion designer. "I've always been attracted to shiny things," she says. "I see clothes with sequins, and say, 'Oh maybe I could design something like that, maybe even better.' "
Q. What do you like to do in your free time?
A. Hang out with my little brother. We're really silly around each other.
Q. What's your favorite music?
A. Holy hip-hop
Q. What else would you like people to know about you?
A. I'm very loyal. I'm good at keeping secrets.
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