By William Croyle • wcroyle@nky.com •
November 5, 2010
ALEXANDRIA - A little hard work never hurt anyone. In fact, it can even result in an
unexpected big time rush. Forty students here at Campbell Ridge Elementary School found that out Friday when
Ciara Bravo surprisingly walked into their lives.
The 13-year-old Alexandria native, who plays Katie Knight on the Nickelodeon show "Big Time
Rush," was greeted with hanging jaws, bulging eyes and simultaneous gasps.
"I can't believe this," said a very excited 9-year-old Elena McCleary. "I never expected this at all."
Ciara's visit was the students' reward for achieving their work ethic diploma in the first
trimester this year. They had no idea she was coming.
Jessie Otto, the school's guidance counselor, used to baby-sit Ciara and helped arrange her
appearance. "We want to show that sometimes you don't always know what good things can happen when
you work hard," Otto said. "We want to celebrate what they achieved."
The work ethic diploma was established at the high school level in 2001 by business and
education leaders through the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. A K-8 version
of the program started in 2006. Students in grades 3-5 at Campbell Ridge are eligible for the
diploma each trimester.
Who receives it is based on 10 standards considered by administrators and teachers:
discipline, attendance, absenteeism, tardiness, community service, academic performance, work
habits, punctuality and preparedness, respect and cooperation.
Ciara went through each of the standards with the students and applied them to her life as an
actress. "It took me three to four years to get this (role on "Big Time Rush")," she told them. "It took all
the standards for me to get the job."
Ciara used to attend Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati. She is now home schooled and
splits her time between here and Los Angeles.
The eighth-grader works five days a week, nearly 10 hours a day, with about three of those
hours spent in school each day. She also does some voice-over work, including on a new
Charlie Brown special that will air later this year. "It's crazy hard," she said of life as an actress.
"It's a lot of pressure for a kid, but it's a blast. This is a dream come true."
Several students said with or without Ciara as a reward, the diploma was worth every effort - but
having her acknowledge them made it even better. "I can see behind all that acting that she's a
really nice person who works hard," said third-grader Jensen Fahlbush. "She is one of my
favorite stars. I never thought I'd get to meet her. She's really cool and nice."
The students will also be honored at a recognition dinner with their families on Nov. 18
at the school.
