At first glance, Camilla Frattini might seem like your average eighth grader, but spend just a few moments talking with her, and it’s clear that she’s anything but ordinary. In a community like ours, where we take pride in nurturing our young people, Camilla stands out as someone who isn’t just growing—she’s flourishing in every aspect of her life, from art to athletics to her quiet reflections on the world around her.

Camilla’s roots run deep in the region. Born in Carbondale, she moved to Benton when she was just a toddler, and though she doesn’t remember much about the move, Benton has become the only home she knows. The close-knit community has shaped much of who she is today, but it’s her personal creativity and wide range of interests that set her apart.

For Camilla, art has been her constant companion. “I’ve always been an art person,” she says with a smile, as though the path of self-expression through drawing and sketching was inevitable. Influenced by family members, several of whom also have an artistic side, Camilla has developed a love for capturing the world around her, in art and in observation, particularly the beauty of nature. “I love drawing animals and nature,” she explains, her eyes lighting up. “There’s something about it that just calls to me.”

While many students might dabble in art as a hobby, for Camilla, it’s more of an identity. She spends hours sketching, focusing on details, shading, and capturing the essence of the life forms that inspire her. “I usually just shade,” she says, preferring the quiet intensity of working in pencil, though she occasionally experiments with color. “It takes forever, but I love it.”

Her artistic sensibilities aren’t confined to her sketchbook. Camilla finds beauty in simplicity, even in her love for baking. Whether she’s crafting no-bake cookies or creating cakes with her mom, the act of baking is yet another creative outlet. “I like baking because it’s something I can do with my mom,” she shares. It’s a hobby that mirrors her approach to art—focused, patient, and filled with joy.

But Camilla is more than just an artist. She’s also an athlete, taking to the track as both a way to stay physically active and as a personal form of meditation. “I run a lot, sometimes on my own and sometimes for track,” she says. For her, running is more than just exercise; it’s a chance to clear her mind and focus. “It helps me process things,” she adds, describing the zen-like state she finds during her solitary runs.

As much as Camilla is a creator and athlete, she’s also a thinker. She finds solace in reading, particularly fantasy novels, and is currently revisiting Twilight. “I love fantasy,” she says, adding that it fuels her imagination and keeps her creativity flowing. And in her geography classes, she dreams of traveling the world, with Italy at the top of her bucket list. “My mom is going to Italy this year, and I hope to go someday too,” she says with the kind of enthusiasm only a true explorer can feel.

Benton Grade School has provided Camilla with the perfect environment to grow—not just in her academics, but in every part of her multifaceted life. From the support of teachers like Miss Sanders, her art instructor, to the broader community that nurtures each child’s potential, Camilla feels at home in Benton, a town where, as she puts it, “Everyone knows everyone.” It’s that familiarity, that sense of belonging, that makes Benton special for Camilla and helps her thrive.

With six siblings spread between Benton and nearby towns, Camilla has always been surrounded by family and support. But it’s her own self-driven passion and creativity that have truly set her on a path toward something remarkable. Whether she’s sketching in her room, baking with her mom, or running in solitude, Camilla is always moving forward, always looking for the next way to express herself.

When asked what the future holds, Camilla’s eyes light up with possibility. “I’d love to work with animals, maybe as a zoologist,” she says. “Or maybe I’ll do art.” It’s clear that whatever path Camilla chooses, it will be filled with the same creativity, thoughtfulness, and passion that define her today.

Camilla Frattini is one to watch—a rising star whose love for art, nature, and learning is sure to leave a wonderful dent in the Universe.