During September 2021, students at Dwight Morrow High School were bustling with energy in the hallways, awaiting the bell near the end of each of their classes. When school ended each day, they rushed to meet their friends or to scrambled to tutorial or afterschool clubs. But unbeknownst to them, teachers were given the opportunity to recommend a student of the month for each grade.

Amanda Mauder and Silvy Guevara wanted to bring back a monthly Student of the Month recognition for one student from each grade as a way to encourage students and teachers to get back into brick and mortar school. Teachers recommend students by filling out and submitting a form that tells how and why a student earned the honor.

“Winners will receive a variety of distinctions including being posted on the Student of the Month bulletin board and featured in a spread in this year’s yearbook!” Ms. Mauder explained.

Students may be recognized for doing an outstanding job in school or for a related activity outside and so earn “Student of the Month.” On Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, the students awarded for September “Student of the Month” were freshman Devaeh Sealy, sophomore Victoria Konopka, junior Marc Youhana, and senior Monserrat Miranda. 

“I was obviously really happy, but I was mostly surprised because I had no idea what I did to earn it and I had no idea who gave it to me,” junior Marc Youhana said. 

Due to Covid-19 regulations last year, students of DMAE were unable to go to school and perform at their very best in person. However, they share the honor of receiving the award with gratitude, and share their advice to students who want to be the student of the month. 

“I’m not exactly sure what I did to earn it, so by my guess, I would just say to try your hardest and go above and beyond other’s expectations,” Marc added.

Teachers asked students to congratulate any “Students of the Month” they saw in the halls. 

In the future, anyone could be selected for “Student of the Month,” even you!