SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- The Gary Rome Auto Group Surprise Squad broke tradition to honor a sophomore instead of a senior for its monthly Super Student award.

Saniyah Polk, 16, a sophomore at Libertas Academy Charter School, maintains a 4.0 GPA, captains her school’s cheerleading team, and works part-time. She also has no shortage of support to get to the future she wants for herself. “She wanted to become a NICU nurse after having her brother,” said Bianca Polk, Saniyah’s mother. “I had two premature labors and her seeing them in the NICU and like, she would be so like, interested. We would go to the hospital and she would ask the nurses questions like, ‘Oh, what does this tube do? What does that do?’”

Kyrali Caudle, Saniyah’s cheer coach, said she watched Saniyah transform from a shy student into a leader. “When I met Sanaya, Libertas didn’t have a cheer team yet. I started a cheer team. She tried out and she was very nervous and she was very quiet. She almost never spoke and then, this year, she kind of just opened up,” she explained. “I watched her just blossom into this amazing cheerleader.”

Caudle said Saniyah holds her teammates to high standards. “As much as she can spread joy, she can also hold people accountable,” she noted. “Like, ‘Hey, you need to make sure you’re doing your homework. You need to make sure you’re going to class.’”

Michael Polk, Saniyah’s father, said she encourages her teammates during conditioning. “She always talks about just bringing whoever’s last in the line,” he added. “She’s always like, ‘Come on, come on. I’m going down. I’m going to push you. I’m going to push you. Let’s do this conditioning.’”

The Surprise Squad, accompanied by Gary Rome Auto Group President Gary Rome, decided to ambush Saniyah in the middle of class. “I’ve heard a lot about you and I know I’m excited about everything you do for the community,” he said. “And I know you want to be like a NICU nurse and you’re going to go to Brown for a free college program this summer. I heard that. I heard your 4.0 GPA. You’re on the cheerleading team and you do a lot. You help out with the family and help out with everybody.”

Rome presented Saniyah with a $1,000 scholarship and a three-month membership at the Gary Rome Car Wash, Dog Wash Detail Center.

Saniyah said her mother hinted at the surprise the day before. “I think my mom came to me yesterday and said, ‘Don’t be mad at me,’” she noted.

Josiah Polk, Saniyah’s brother, said he is proud of his sister, while Ma’ry Christin, Saniyah’s friend, said Saniyah is genuine and loyal. “Saniyah is actually one of the most genuine friends I’ve ever had, you know,” Christin said. “She’s one of those friends, like, that always keeps you on top of your stuff and, like, you know, she never once made me question her loyalty.”

Saniyah said she remains focused on her goals. “At the end of the day, I have a goal and I’m motivated to go to college and do everything I want to do and make my family proud,” she explained.

She also offered advice to other students. “Keep going because it’s hard. It’s really hard,” Saniyah explained. “But at the end of the day, you have people who love you and you’ve got to remember that you’re doing it for a reason and it’s not just for anything. It’s going to pay off.”

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