NORTON SHORES, Mich. (WOOD) — Estella O’Brien is the editor of the monthly newspaper at Mona Shores High School, called The Sailors’ Log.

She came back to school in August to help get the paper ready for the first day of school this week. She hopes her writing will help prepare her for an interesting career.

“I would eventually like to become a screenwriter for TV shows and movies,” O’Brien said. “I’m going to go to college and major in film or screenwriting.”

Estella O’Brien, a student at Mona Shores High School.

Emelie Santos, the newspaper adviser and an English teacher, says O’Brien has a big heart and a big impact on her peers.

“She just has this genuine warmth behind her. Everyone who’s in the class feels like they’re a part of this family, and she has helped create this culture with her sense of humor, with her kindness,” Santos said. “Every interaction you have with Estella is positive.”

O’Brien also leads a student group called Crafts for a Cause. The group has donated $4,000 to local and national charities.

“We do different crafts like crocheting and knitting,” O’Brien said. “We make earrings. That’s pretty fun. And then we do different sales, like bake sales at lunch, or we go to the holiday craft fair here at Mona Shores.”

O’Brien says she was surprised to be named student of the week.

“I was pretty excited. Unexpected,” she said. “It’s nice to be recognized for the things I do because I like to stay quieter. It’s nice to be sometimes in the spotlight.”

“She’s remarkable,” Santos said. “She’s probably in the top five (students) of my entire career, and I don’t say that lightly.”