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M2: Craig sixth-grader Alicea Diedrich never ceases to amaze

Nate Waggenspack
Alicea Diedrich stands at the plate of a Parks and Rec softball game last summer. The sixth-grader at Craig Middle School has shown an ability to pick up knowledge and hobbies with amazing ease. Softball is one of her more recent endeavors, and she plans on playing her second season this summer.
Courtesy Photo

— An ability beyond her years has helped Alicea Diedrich make her mark on Craig Middle School.

It’s a fact that hasn’t surprised her mother, Veronica, who said Alicea was impressing the adults around her as a toddler.

“When she was 3 years old, I had read her ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ maybe twice,” Veronica said. “Her baby sitter calls me at work and tells me, (Alicea) read ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ to her.”



Later, Alicea served as the kindergarten teacher’s aide at Ridgeview Elementary School — while she was still in kindergarten.

She now is involved in all sorts of activities. Alicea is a cadet in the Girl Scouts, plays flute in the band and will begin her second year of softball this summer.



What’s most impressive about her many interests, Veronica said, is the ease with which Alicea picks them up. She started playing an instrument because her mother and sister had played percussion and clarinet, respectively.

In choosing her instrument, flute became the choice because she took to it so quickly.

“She was a natural” with the flute, Veronica said. “I was a percussionist. For her being first year, she picks up music so fast. She can practice music in one day and know the song in one day.”

Alicea liked the idea of playing an instrument and preferred the flute’s melodic sound.

“My mom and sister both play instruments and I thought it was really cool,” she said. “I thought the flute was very cool and has a sweet sound.”

Spend a few minutes talking to Alicea and you’re bound to learn something new. She seemingly has a vast knowledge of whatever subjects she becomes interested in.

With music, it’s all about the flute.

“Did you know the flute uses as much air as the tuba?” she asked rhetorically.

The sixth-grader has her heart set on becoming a biologist and studying animals. Right now, her passion lies with birds, which, of course, she can discuss at length.

It’s quite a turnaround from the infant who experienced fever-induced seizures.

“For her to accomplish what she has” is amazing, Veronica said. “At 9 months old she started getting fever-induced seizures. I thought she was going to be in and out of hospitals for life. But since then her brain just keeps going.”

Nate Waggenspack can be reached at 875-1795 or nwaggenspack@craigdailypress.com.


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