At Opelousas Junior High School, April is the president of Opelousas Junior High School's student government association, the captain of the cheerleading team, a member of the reading club, a library volunteer and a member of Club I.D., where she assists special-needs students with academics and social skills. After their school nominates its students, they are judged on a writing sample and application portfolio, which includes detailed information about themselves, their academic achievements, leadership activities, extracurricular activities, awards, community service and citizenship.