When Hazel Andrade, a senior in the Cosmetology program, was recently called down to the Guidance Office she feared that she was in trouble, but couldn’t imagine why.
“I was scared at first,” she said. “I thought, ‘oh no.’ I didn’t think I did anything wrong.”
When Andrade was told that she won a Student of the Month honor, she was relived and happy. She was also confused as to why she was picked since she had struggled with her grades, but was steadily improving.
“It was a roller coaster of emotions,” Andrade said.
Andrade was one of 20 Student of the Month recipients who were treated to a breakfast in their honor in The Apprentice Restaurant this week. Every month a student from each grade and one from the school’s co-op program is named a Student of the Month.
The honorees at the breakfast represented the Student of the Month recipients for the first semester. The winners this semester will be honored with a breakfast later this school year.
Sheyenne Ballentine, a sophomore Welding and Metal Fabrication student, she was also surprised.
“I did not expect it,” she said. “I’ve made some bad choices in the past at school, but I turned it around. I feel better being somebody that anybody can count on and trust.”
Besides Andrade and Ballentine, other Student of the Month recipients were, Madisyn Pelletier, Jaziah Marrero, Madyson Lynde, Julia Dickinson, Norah Drowski, Zoe Gledhill, Amber Kowel, Faith Wilder Greene, Tucker Hicks, Mamadou Dian Bah, Alexander Purington, Talia Pederzini-Curtis, Zachary Zilinski, Taylor Menard, Giovanni Grima, Haiden Willard, Jared Currier, and Everett Jones.
Kowal said she was “thrilled and surprised” to hear that she had won.
“I’ve been working so hard since I got here and winning this award is so amazing,” she said.
Assistant Principal Amber Crochier said teachers nominate the Student of the Month candidates based on observations of the students inside class and out and about in the school.
“A teacher might see them doing something good, like helping a peer or going above and beyond in some way, as well as doing well in class.” She said.
Cooperative Education Coordinator Mark Amstein said the job of picking five students a month can be difficult.
“There are a lot of strong candidates,” said.
Currier and Pederzini-Curtis, both 11th grade Electrical students, were thankful that the Student of the Month winners were recognized by teachers and administrators.
It’s nice that they have respect for the individuals that go out there and try,” Currier said.