OAKLAND — Messalonskee High School Principal Paula Callan recently recognized the January and February Student of the Month recipients as well as Messalonskee students who earned Student of the Month honors at Mid-Maine Technical Center, according to a news release from the high school.
The Messalonskee January Students of the Month were Allyson Albert, senior; Ben Edman, junior; Gabby Smart, sophomore; Caden Cote, freshman; and Kailey Pelletier, Student Choice Award.
February Students of the Month were Olivia Roy, senior; Daimian Lewis, junior; Ela Peterson, sophomore; Lukas Duquette, freshman; and Hanna Lavenson, Student Choice Award.
The following Messalonskee students earned recognition for their efforts at MMTC: Austin Arsenault, automotive technology; Aislinn McDaniel, early childhood education; Shelby Hoffman, culinary arts; Chase Veregge, medical careers; Andrew Everett, electrical technology; Noah Cummings, construction technology; Bradley Mullen, CTE Academy; Connor McCurdy, information technology; and Surae Dunn, criminal justice.
A strong work ethic best describes the senior recipients. January honoree Albert goes above and beyond expectations as both a friend and a student. She is the go-to person in the Fastbreak Cafe, making sure all the equipment is ready to use and ensuring that the food preparation process goes smoothly. Roy operates on maximum effort in everything she does, whether participating with her fellow members of the Outing Club or competing on the Messalonskee swim team. A positive person by nature, she finds fun in whatever activity she engages in.
Both junior honorees are extremely goal driven. Edman, the January recipient, shows this in the most visible sense in the sports realm as a member of the school track team. He recently took second place in the shot put at the KVAC championships. Lewis, the February Student of the Month, exhibits his drive in his passion for writing. In his English class, he often writes about environmental issues and also enjoys composing comparisons of literary characters. Whatever the subject, he is keen on getting feedback given his deep desire to improve his writing skills, according to the release.
The sophomore recipients are a pair of high energy girls. Smart, the January honoree, is active in athletics as well as in the community. Moreover, she is a highly motivated student with a can-do attitude who can always be found participating in class and, whatever the course, she makes sure to be fully prepared to ensure she turns in quality work. Peterson is a driven student with a diverse background who loves to study how the world works. She also has a passion for the theater, participating in the school drama program both as an actress and as part of the crew. In the latter role, Peterson gets involved with sewing costumes and heading the hair department.
Both freshmen are known for their outstanding social skills. Cote, the January recipient, makes everybody feel welcome and heard, a quality he makes clear during class discussions about course readings. He also is good about taking critical feedback and using it to improve his writing. Duquette, a February Student of the Month, embodies the class motto of “kindness matters.” He is a student who goes out of his way to hold open doors for others and, along with greeting people with a “good morning” on a daily basis, Duquette is quick to volunteer for chair stacking duties at the end of chorus class, according to the release.
Extracurricular excellence is the phrase that defines the two Student Choice Award winners. Pelletier is one of the leading catalysts for the school drama program. An assistant director for “Chicago,” the recent musical production, Pelletier brings enthusiasm and energy to the stage. February recipient Lavenson, meanwhile, is a role model for extracurricular involvement. Somehow she manages to find the energy to be involved with GSTA, Book Club, band, chorus, and theater. She also is always willing to help a classmate in need.
Finally, librarian Sylvia Jadczak announced Grace Bridges and Sarah Kohl as the “Caught Reading” winners for January and February, respectively.
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