The Mantua board of education announced eight winners of the Star of Character awards for February during its meeting earlier this month.
The awards cite students from each grade level in the district – pre-K to sixth grade – who best represents one specific virtue a month. They are given from September to June; February marked student dedication to service, including helping other students in need or cleaning up after a class.
“This is our favorite part of the meeting,” noted Board President Lori Kroeger.
“Dr. Kroeger is right,” echoed Superintendent Christine Trampe. “This is when we take a moment to acknowledge our Stars of Character.”
The winning students were kindergartner Jamie Smith, who was absent but is expected to be at the April meeting; first grader Anthony Urbano; second grader Addison Kiernan; third grader David Phan; fourth grader Elizabeth Henderson; fifth grader Zoe Woodland; and sixth grader Lilly Randazzo-Thorton. The parents of pre-K winner asked that their children not be named at the meeting.
The names of the winners were announced in reverse order, from sixth grade to pre-K, to ease anxiety among the students. Each received a certificate, a necklace, a bracelet, a pencil and a pen. They also posed for individual pictures with Trampe and Kroeger.
Trampe also read a brief snippet about each winner and how the students showcased their chosen virtue. One word used to describe them was “selfless”; others were noted for going “out of their way” to help others.
The students were accompanied to the meeting by parents who were cited by Trampe.
“We thank you for taking the time to join us this evening, but more importantly, we thank you for all that you’re doing at home,” she observed. “It is showing in our award winners this evening. We truly appreciate all that you do and the support you’ve given our schools.”
The next board of ed meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, April 8, at the Centre City Elementary School gymnasium.
