North Staff Honor Students Who Demonstrate Parkway Values
With the flashing of cameras, choruses of applause, and the occasional “aww” from the audience, over 60 North students were honored at the Purple Pride Awards Night on March 30 at 7 p.m. Staff members nominate students at Parkway North who have shown “excellence in education and outstanding contributions to the school and community.”
These students are honored at the awards night with medals and certificates with a message of why the staff member chose to nominate them. While these were being read aloud, the students got their picture taken with the staff member who nominated them.
Among those recognized were junior Lela Sperling, who was nominated by her academic lab teacher Jim Hubbard, Hubbard wrote that he will have done his job as a father if his daughters turn out anything like Sperling.
Many seniors were recognized for their hard work throughout high school. Senior Meghan Mudd was nominated by senior principal Greg Wagener. His speech recalled meeting her as a freshman and how excited she was about high school, telling him, “we [are] going to be best friends. You just wait and see.” He wrote about her positivity, strong leadership skills, and energy, and told her, “I will miss you. But you’ll be back. Best friends always meet up again.”
Senior Melanie Brucker, who was nominated by librarian Chris Johnston said, ““Honestly, I was just really surprised and flattered. I worked with her on the prom committee last year and had an independent study [this year] so I spent a lot of time in the library and got to know her well.”
Johnston wrote in her speech, ““Her smile and positive attitude brighten my day everytime I see her…Your work ethic, conscientiousness, spirit, energy and personality will take you far in the future.”
Senior Jake Bertish, who was nominated by his math teacher Julie Parks and was the only student at the awards night who has been nominated four years in a row. Bertish has been nominated by math teachers Michelle Goetz, Jim Lawrence and FACS teacher Kara Sussman.
“These awards all came to me as surprises every year, but I am very honored to receive them,” said Bertish.
After the awards ceremony, staff, students, and their families were invited to the commons to enjoy cupcakes and punch provided by the North catering club, including senior Erika O’Donohue, who was also recognized that night by FACS teacher Becky Bright for her leadership in ProStart classes and catering club.
Nominees knew that they had been nominated, but not who had nominated them, so it was a surprise to find out at the awards ceremony.
“It was my first nomination, so I was excited. It is nice to know when your hard work is genuinely appreciated,” said Brucker.
by Lauren Sparks, Social Media Mogul and Editor-in-Chief
