The award of Student of the Month provides HHS with the opportunity to reward outstanding students throughout the school year. Each month, a different trait will be introduced, and new students will be chosen for this incredible achievement.

The trait for April was perseverance. Perseverance means persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.. The chosen students this month were Lauren Hargraves (9), Evaley Collier (10), Gigi George (11), and Branson Hill (12). 

Branson Hill represents the trait of perseverance for the senior class. For Branson, she is involved in Drama Club, Musical, FCCLA, FCA, NHS, HOSA, Tigers United, Chorus, and Band. In addition, she participates in Softball, Basketball, and Tennis. Branson believes that it’s important to get involved in school activities because “you get to meet new people and experience new things”. When asked to define perseverance, Branson said, “It means to keep going even when the odds are against you”. For the future, Branson will be attending SIC in the fall to play softball and become a PTA.

Junior Gigi George received the award for perseverance. Gigi believes that getting involved in school activities is “what makes the whole high school experience so much better”. She is involved in Student Government, Rotary, Educators Rising, Tiger Paws, FCCLA, FBLA, and Tigers United. Additionally, she participates in Tennis, Track, and Softball. Gigi defines perseverance as “working through difficult times, which means to never give up and always try your best”. Gigi hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree and become a diagnostic sonographer. 

For the sophomore class, Evaley Collier exhibited the trait of perseverance. She is involved in FBLA, Student Government, and FBLA. Additionally, Evaley participates in cheer, volleyball, and track, which she believes is important because it “helps the community and allows you to meet new people”. For Evaley, she believes you can show this through “always trying your best and showing that you are grateful for what you have”. In the future, Evaley strives to receive a track or volleyball scholarship and attend SIUE to become a CRNA. 

The freshman who exhibited the trait of perseverance was Lauren Hargraves. Lauren believes getting involved in school activities is beneficial because “it shows people what you like to do”. She is involved in chorus and Tigers United. Lauren defines perseverance as “being there to help and be there for everyone and telling others that you are here for them”.  Lauren wishes to pursue a degree and work in the cosmetology field.

Showing perseverance, especially toward the end of a long school year, can be challenging. But the students listed have demonstrated it and continued to aspire to push through difficulty. They have aspired to make HHS a better place and further their commitment to being a light to others. The inventor Thomas Edison once said, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always try just one more time.”