Star Student award winners for April are shown with Mantua school Superintendent Christine Trampe (far left) and board of education President Lori Kroeger (third from right) at the board’s April 7 meeting.
The Mantua board of education recognized school district students, teachers, education support professionals (ESPs) and staffers at its meeting on April 7.
Dozens of people – including families and friends – watched as the honorees were acknowledged.
“This is one of our favorite board meetings of the year because we have so many awards we’ll be giving out,” said school Superintendent Christine Trampe.
Presented first were the nine Star Students for April. Based on feedback from teachers, the monthly award goes to those who best showcase a specific character virtue. For this month, it was integrity. Winners received certificates, bracelets and necklaces.
“Integrity means always doing what is right, even when no one is watching,” Trampe explained. “When you have integrity, you tell the truth, keep your promises and admit your mistakes. You don’t blame others or make excuses when you do something wrong.
“Instead, you take responsibility for your actions,” she added. “Integrity makes you feel proud of yourself, not because others praise you, but because you know in your heart that you did the right thing.”
The Star Students counted two from preschool and one student each from kindergarten through sixth grade. They are preschoolers Gabriella Dill and Nicolas Garcia-Miranda, kindergartner Bella Selfridge, first- grader Joseph Mitchell, second-grader Jackson Paulaitis, third-grader Hunter Daffin, and fourth-graders Hailee Stief and Halyn An. The sixth-grade winner’s family asked that they not be named.
Next up were teachers, ESPs and school staffers of the year. Nine people were honored, three from Sewell Elementary School, three from Centre City Elementary and three from J. Mason Tomlin (JMT) Elementary School. The principals of each school presented awards, flowers and plaques to the teachers and staff members of the year while Stephanie Logan, district director of special services, cited the ESPs.
The winners from Sewell Elementary are Diane Norcross, staff member of the year; Erica Walker-Calloway, the ESP winner; and Beth Ann Lorentz, teacher of the year. The Centre City winners are staff member Theresa Lasky; Gina Duffy for ESP; and MaryKate Covely, teacher of the year. Tomlin winners are staffer Bobby Weick, who was unable to attend the meeting; Beth Szymanski for ESP; and Andrea Porreca, teacher of the year.
After the awards presentations, the meeting had a brief intermission so winners and families could spend time together.
The next Mantua board of ed meeting is scheduled 7 p.m. on Monday, May 5, at Centre City Elementary School.
