What started as a small incentive program at HHS has quickly grown into a highly sought-after school award. Just two years ago, Herrin High School introduced the Student of the Month program to recognize and showcase students who exemplify good behavior and demonstrate certain qualities in their daily lives.
The award provides HHS with the opportunity to reward outstanding students throughout the school year. Each month, a different trait is highlighted, and new students will be chosen for this incredible achievement. Students are nominated and voted on by their teachers.
When asked about the Student of the Month award, HHS social worker Tracy Cornelius explained that it “defines what it means to be a True Tiger. This recognition is separate from academic achievement, but equally important, as it highlights the leadership and character traits that contribute to a positive school community.”
The highlighted trait for October was respect. Respect means thinking and acting a particular way toward others that shows you care about their feelings and well-being. When a student demonstrates respect, it involves more than just being polite; it shows that they care for others by valuing their feelings and needs.
Receiving the award for the senior class was Ava Goetting (12), who believes respect can be defined as “being genuine and being social to others. It is a way to show appreciation and connect with the people around you”. Ava feels that the small acts of respect are the most significant, such as paying attention when others are speaking, keeping eye contact, and holding the door. Through her parents, Ava has seen respect being displayed. “My parents are the most respectful people and have inspired me to act the same. They always have great manners and genuinely listen when I need to talk to them”. Above all else, Ava emphasized that the people looking up to you need to know they’re genuinely cared about. “To those who are feeling ignored, if you have one person bring that inclusiveness, it’s rewarding to them and you”, Ava shared. In the future, Ava is excited to graduate from high school and pursue a degree in psychology.
Junior Rylan Lattuada also won the award for respect, which he defines as “showing admiration for others and having humility”. For Rylan, he believes respect is important because “you never know what people are going through, so when you do stuff for them, it shows you genuinely care”. Going further, he explains that some ways to show respect include “complimenting people, offering help when they are struggling, and listening to what adults tell you to do”. For the remainder of high school, Rylan aims to work hard to keep his grades up and keep pushing to improve his football skills. Discussing his plans for the future, Rylan aims to become a civil engineer.
For the sophomore class, Madison Dickerson was the recipient. She defines respect as “the ability to treat people fairly, no matter the circumstances”. Madison explained that you never know what people are going through, so when you are aware of how you treat them, it makes a big difference in their overall outlook. She added, “When you’re showing others respect, it acknowledges that you care about them and value them”. Madison has learned the importance of respect from her mom because “she has always been my safe space. She is always kind to others, and I respect her for that”. In terms of showing respect, Madison believes that small gestures impact others the most. “The start of showing respect can be small. Just giving a smile can change the outlook of someone’s day by showing you are welcoming and kind”. Madison hopes to continue playing softball in college and earn a degree in teaching.
The freshman to receive the award was Madison Kelly, who defines respect as “treating others the way you want to be treated, especially when you think about what others are going through”. Madison acknowledges that someone might just need a person to help lift them up, and believes showing respect is a good first step in addition to prayer. At school, Madison listed several examples of how to be respectful, such as eye contact, compliments, and completing homework on time. “It’s honestly pretty simple. Everyone should be respectful, even if others aren’t. Being respectful sometimes means helping others through your actions”, Madison said. In her life, Madison sees the trait of respect exhibited in Maddie Martin, elaborating that “she (Maddie) is always understanding to everyone, including her teammates and coaches.” Madison desires to go to college and get involved in the healthcare industry.
Showing respect throughout each day proves to be a challenging task, especially since it involves so many different characteristics in a person’s life. But the four students listed above went above and beyond to show that respect is an essential trait that exhibits true Tiger Pride. Businessman Richard Branson once said, “Respect is how you treat everyone, not just those you want to impress”.
Stay tuned for the next Student of the Month edition, coming in December!
