Recognition awards for Springville-GI Middle School students

Springville-Griffith Institute Middle School students received recognition this year at the eighth grade recognition ceremony held June 21. Included were eighth grade students honored with the President’s Education Award. These students maintained a 90 percent or better average each marking period in sixth and seventh grades and in the first two marking periods of eighth grade. Each honoree received a certificate signed by United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, President of the United States Barack Obama and SMS Principal Michael Retzlaff. Each honoree also received a congratulatory letter from Obama.

The 35 eighth grade President’s Education Award honorees for 2012 are Carlye Albrecht, Victoria Allard, Veronica Baranowski, Emily Barger, Emma Beckerich, Martin Benzinger, Kalei Brautlacht, Caitlin Bruscia, Zachary Cudney, Hayden Goodridge, Sarah Gorski, Patrick Hannon, Nicholas Hintz, Gavin Hurley, Nina Koelemeyer, Matthew Krebs, Emilie Loudenslager, McKenzie Maloy, Shane Meyer, Dalton Nelson, Tyler Olrogg, Kimberly Pukay, Parker Rice, Abigail Roy, Kalee Schreiber, Amanda Schwartz, Ian Smith, Jacob Smith, Quintessa Smith, Molly Stabell, Riley Stedman, Brittany Sullivan, Emyle Watkins, Matthew Woodarek and Emily Zebrowski.

The American Legion Award is given annually to one student at each grade level “in recognition of those high qualities of courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service which are necessary to the preservation and protection of fundamental institutions of our government and the advancement of society.” This year’s American Legion Americanism Award winners are sixth grader Benjamin Lindberg, seventh grader Mitchell Rosati and eighth grader Nicole Conklin.

The Robert K. Kirkendall Memorial Award has been presented annually since June 1981 to two students at the end of eighth grade. Kirkendall worked with students as the middle school guidance counselor for many years. His wife Elenor Kirkendall established this award in his memory. Selection of students is made on the basis of “demonstrated improvement in all areas of the middle school program, including attitude and personal growth.” The award winners are presented with a certificate and a $50 savings bond. Winners for 2012 are Sidney Schindler and Henry Yaeger.

The Middle School Math Award is presented annually to two eighth grade students. Established by retired teacher Michelle Claus, the award recognizes “an interest in mathematics and a passing average for all four marking periods during the year.” Claus presented the math awards, with $100 savings bonds, to Jaycee Miller and Martin Benzinger.

The Student Services Character Education Award was presented to two students this year. School administrators said that selection is made using six ethical core values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The 2012 winners are Isobel Hooker and Hayden Goodridge.

The Crusader’s Award is new this year and goes to a student who sees a social issue within the school society and embarks on an endeavor with the goal of making a positive impact in the school and community. The student must collaborate with others to provide school-wide participation to encourage the student body to create positive change. This year’s recipient is Emyle Watkins, who started and led the Do Something No H8 Club this year.

In addition to these awards, many students received exploratory course awards, extra-curricular awards and academic acknowledgments through their academic teams.