Merced High School

​
P.O. Box 2167​.​ Merced, California 95344 (209) 325-1000

December 4, 2018

To Whom It May Concern:

I am honored in taking this opportunity to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of Rhiannon

Olivarez - Kidwell. Rhiannon is a student in my Advanced Placement Calculus class this year. I also
had the pleasure of teaching Rhiannon in Pre-Calculus last year. When I first met her, I knew Rhiannon
was the type of student who valued education and hard work. She has continued to demonstrate
tremendous academic ability in mathematics and in other areas. She is currently ranked 3​rd​ in her class
with an overall GPA above 4.3.
Rhiannon is very involved in her school. She has been part of our school aquatics teams for all four
years in high school, receiving all-league status in both water polo and in swimming, and was our school
water polo player of the year last year. Rhiannon is president of the Interact Club and has received
many awards for her academic achievement and school involvement, including the California State
Senate Certificate of Recognition and Scholastic Achievement Awards, California State Assembly
Recognition and Special Congressional Recognition Awards. She was Miss Merced County’s Teen in
2017 and received the Miss Congeniality Award and Spirit of Miss America Award that same year.
Rhiannon also has over 250 hours of community service, and attended Girls State as a junior.
There are many things I like about Rhiannon. She has a focused educational plan and is knowledgeable
in many areas. She is determined to succeed and is extremely detailed in her work and thoughts.
Rhiannon is highly respected by her peers – so much so that other students try to emulate her. She is
motivated, conscientious, and optimistic. She values her gifts and is appreciative of what she receives.
Her sense of humor and personable character completes her all-around nature.

Rhiannon has set realistic goals for herself. Her desire to enter a pre-medicine program in college and
become an endocrinologist is worthy. I asked Rhiannon what interested her specifically about that
career. She said to me ‘I have to live with a life-threatening and incurable endocrine disorder, and I
want to become a doctor so that I can treat patients with expertise, compassion and empathy’. I find
Rhiannon’s humbleness refreshing in our ‘selfie’ culture. This is why Rhiannon has made an excellent
career choice.
Rhiannon will enjoy the challenge and environment of college. Her academic success and commitment
to learning demonstrates her perseverance and confidence, making her an excellent candidate for your
university and for any specialized program you offer. Her ethics and values, as well as her dedication
and maturity, are clearly set out in her character. I recommend Rhiannon without reservation.

Tim Hagerman
Mathematics Department Chair
Merced High School
thagerman@muhsd.org