16

                 The Joan Spicher Student Award is very prestigious as it recognizes the very heart of middle level education, the student.  The Student Award is the brainchild of Joan Spicher, a dedicated middle level educator from Hershey Middle School.  Joan is a past President of PMSA and continues to be active at the State and National levels.  Most recently, Joan was elected to represent our region as a Trustee on the Board of NMSA.  Due to her belief that outstanding students should be recognized for their efforts, PMSA has honored 12 young people in the past 6 years. 

                 Two young adolescents who exemplify the qualities and essence for which this award was designed are selected as recipients each year.  These two students represent every middle level child in the State of Pennsylvania.  Each student award winner, one male and one female, receives a plaque, a check for $500.00 to be used by their school, and a $1000.00 US Savings Bond.

                 Out of the many, many nominations that were received, the selection committee reviewed unfailingly courteous, kind, respectful, trustworthy, and cheerful students like Hannah and Christopher.  Leaders like Liz, Kathy, Alyssa, Sarah, Adam and Elijah gave hundreds of hours and collected food for food baskets, books for a neighboring community, $1600.00 for the Red Cross and many other community service projects.  J.J., Stuart, and Zach gave hundreds of hours to their fellow students as peer tutors and peer mediators.  Lauren, Emily, Erik, Amanda, Tara, and Stephen were recognized because they are true ladies, gentlemen, and everyday role models to their classmates.  Chelsea and Joseph were nominated because they do the little things like pick up litter in the halls and make their schools look good.  Dedicated musical and theatrical performers like Alexandra and Rose were nominated for the ways they share their talents.  Jaclyn and Jenni were nominated because they are dependable, quietly volunteer, and show integrity in everything they do.

                 The young lady chosen for this award is Bianca Palmisano.  She is an 8^th grade student from Ingomar Middle School in the North Allegheny School District.  She has served as the coordinator of Operation Save a Life, a school wide activity to help the homeless of Pittsburgh.  She serves as Vice President of Middle Level Chapters in Pennsylvania for Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).  FCCLA is a national organization with over 200,000 students dedicated to helping young people build healthy families, have successful careers, and strengthen communities.  Her work includes developing membership, contributing articles for the organization’s publications, coordinating meetings, presenting workshops, and mentoring officers in her local chapter.  Bianca implemented

fundraisers for breast cancer research through the Komen Foundation and promoted a non-smoking campaign for the American Lung Association.  She organized packed lunch, clothing, toiletry drives for unsheltered homeless people. She organized monthly entertainment visitations for sheltered homeless individuals.  She also volunteers at and advocates for the local animal shelter. 

                 Bianca is an excellent student and exemplifies hard work and dedication to her classmates.  Among her varied interests is her participation in the River City Youth Chorale, a musical group for girls and young women.  In her school, she is recognized as a great leader, an outstanding citizen, and an individual who truly cares about others in her school and community.

                 The young man chosen for this award is Ryan “Rocky” Hillanbrand.  He is a 7th grade student from Stewart Middle School, in the Norristown School District.  Rocky is described as outgoing, friendly, and very helpful to both teachers and fellow students.  He is known for offering his special “hello” and asking if there is anything he can help with in his school.  His teachers describe Rocky as a “fun seventh grade kid” and a polite student who works very hard to get good grades.  He is a good citizen who watches out for fellow students who may be experiencing personal challenges.  In addition, he is a strong leader, one who is committed to serving others.

                 Rocky is the recreation partner for an evening program at his school.  “FAST”, Families and Schools Together, is a community program offered through Family Services of Montgomery County.  Two ten-week programs are offered during the school year to help middle level students and their parents improve communications with one another.  Rocky helps set-up every Tuesday evening at 5:00.  He then assists the program coordinator with the younger children.  In addition to the weekly 3-hour commitment, Rocky is an important part of the recruitment process, is a role model for other middle school students in the program, and offers a speech at the graduation ceremony. 

                 Rocky also shares his time and talent as manager of the school football team, one of the leads in the school musical, an active member in the Boy Scouts of America, Chairman of Communities That Care, an organizer of service projects throughout the community and is planning to paint a memorial and help at a playground this summer.

                 Next year, the 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 at www.pmsaweb.org.  Start planning now to nominate a special male or female student for the Joan Spicher Student Award. 

~ the Joan Spicher Student Awards ~

Students Who are Making a Difference

Bianca Palmisano and Ryan “Rocky” Hillanbrand were honored as the recipients of the

2005 Joan Spicher Student Award.  The presentation was made on Sunday March 6,2005 at the

PMSA State Conference held in Hershey, PA.  Palmisano and Hillanbrand were selected from

statewide nominations of students recognized by their teachers for leadership abilities,

good citizenship, and positive contributions to their school and community.