Students honored for doing the right thing

Four of the students recognized give each other a high-five following the ceremony. The quartet includes (l-r) Brian Sanyshyn, Brian Fox, Jessica Stein, and Eddie Smith. ERIC GROSS Students are often recognized for academic or athletic achievements, but how about being honored for doing the right thing!

Three hundred pupils at Brewster High School were given a pat on the back during a student recognition ceremony last week attended by parents and friends.

Principal Matt Byrnes explained that the honorees were being recognized for their “hard work, great effort, and outstanding attitude—attributes based on a long-term teacher assessment.”

Byrnes said these special students “come to class each day with a good attitude while exhibiting great citizenship and assisting others in the classroom. As adults we realize that such life lessons are most important after school, when obtaining a job and raising a family, than what grade did you get on a chemistry test.”

Assistant High School Principal Michelle Gosh, who organized the special student recognition, described the honored students as “our unsung heroes. They represent their school in a great fashion and we are singing their praises in a different way.”

Byrnes thanked the scores of parents for taking time from their busy schedules to attend the ceremony: “We are all busy, and while we hold the event in the middle of the morning on a weekday each year, the turnout is always incredible, which tells me that parents are proud of their teenagers—moms and dads who have paid attention and who appreciate the fact that the school sees their children in this light, and not just academics.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jane Sandbank attended the special assembly: “We want our children to know that they are appreciated. Daily effort and attitude are important. By striving to be good citizens our young people will do well later on in life.”