Sixteen Highlands Middle School 5th graders were recognized as Optimist Club “Everyday Heroes” at a special surprise assembly on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. District Judge Carolyn S. Bengel, a member of the Optimist Club, presented each of the students with a trophy, a copy of the Optimist Creed and a certificate for a free pizza from Capri.
One boy and one girl in each of the eight 5th grade homerooms were selected by their peers to receive the “Everyday Hero” award. According to the feedback from the fifth graders during the assembly, an Everyday Hero should be respectful, accountable, motivated, safe, responsible, helpful and encouraging. In addition, the hero is not a bully, is a good citizen, has good manners, gets along with everyone, is on time for school and is quiet in the halls.
Congratulations to this year’s Everyday Heroes: Keegan Babinsack, Troy Bielak, Luciana Cirino, Caleb Day, Abigail Koharchik, John Kraeger, Mattea Kubla, Shane Lechner, Abigail Lemmon, Cainen McCann, Mark Mears, Jacob Skundrich, Carleigh Smith, Lyla Vivirito, Kaylie Witherup and Mallory Zendarski. After the presentation, each of the students had an opportunity to say a few words of thanks.
The Optimist Club has sponsored this annual program for many years, and club members ensure that this peer-based award remains one of their priorities. “What is so special to me about this program is that the child gets to pick who they think is the Everyday Hero,” said Bengel.
The heroes and their families enjoyed a cake reception in the cafeteria following the assembly.
Watch video clips from the assembly below:
