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participates in cross-country, track, band, orchestra – where she is first violin, and Mathcounts.  But most important, her independent thinking has a positive impact on everyone around her.  Her peers are impressed because she sets high personal standards and leads by example. Regardless of where she is, her peers strive be like her.

 

Maddie is also one to give back to her community.  In an effort to understand multiculturalism, she has learned to speak French, German, and Chinese.  She volunteers for the Mile of Cans, a canned food drive, and the Aliquippa Food Pantry.  She does babysitting and pet sitting for neighbors and friends.  Her active role and organization in Saris Candy Fundraisers and Market Days is important to her school.  She is active in the student council and raises money for those in need.  It is said that Maddie would do anything to help others as she strives to be a good citizen.

 

Sean Grim is an 8th grade student from Saucon Valley Middle School, in the Saucon Valley School District.  Sean is always prepared and enthusiastic.  He is active in the Junior National Honor Society, Student Council, and Brown University SPARKS program.  He runs the school store at school in the morning and during extra-curricular activities. Recently, Sean sang the National Anthem at an awards assembly for the entire school.  Sean is recognized as a superb role model for students as well as teachers.  He is very mature and his congenial mood allows him to lead by example.  

 

Sean is also very active in music.  He participates in band, jazz band, the bell choir, chorus, and the Cambria Singers.  Last year he was a member of a group who sang for President Bush at the White House.  His teachers say that Sean is a born leader.  They describe him as a great role model dedicated to personal excellence.  Some jokingly refer to this wonderful leader as Mr. President, but it is not a joke.  Sean was recently elected President of the National Honor Society.

 

Kemper Vogel is a 7th grade student from Pine-Richland Middle School, in the Pine-Richland School District.  This behind the scenes leader has demonstrated the meaning of giving back to the

community.  During the late fall, Kemper facilitated the Katrina Christmas Mercy Project.  He met with representatives from the entire community, business, school and church.  The project collected 5,000 new toys and many donated gift cards for Wal-Mart.  Then on December 18-22, along with his family and a busload of volunteers, he traveled to Louisiana. 

 

Once in the disaster ravaged New Orleans community, the work continued.  Toys were given to children who had lost everything.  The volunteers worked in food warehouses and cooked and served over 2,000 meals each day in 5 different locations.  Kemper said one sad child ate some food with her mother and then was thrilled to find a toy, exactly like the favorite toy she had lost in the flood.  A big smile finally returned to her face.

 

One of his teachers stated that because of Kemper’s initiative and leadership to help families that live a thousand miles away, our students, staff and community came together.  We were able to bridge a gap, not only with our hearts, but also with our gifts of love.  He has demonstrated the value of teamwork and having an unselfish attitude.

 

These young adolescents share a love and respect for animals, the young, the elderly, and their peers struggling with academics.  They are highly motivated student leaders who spearhead operations to share resources with the less fortunate and talents with all who can appreciate them. We celebrate superb role models who lead by doing the right thing and giving gifts of compassion and love.  These students of today have found and demonstrated the true way to be successful.

 

Next year, the Joan Spicher Student Award recipient could be one of your students.  Every school has students that deserve to be recognized for their outstanding accomplishments.  All nominated students are recognized by PMSA as Award nominees.   Specific information about awards is available on the PMSA website @:www.pmsaweb.org.  Start planning now to nominate a special male or female student for the 2007 Joan Spicher Student Award.