At its recent meeting, the Queen Creek Unified School District’s Board of Governors recognized four students from Newell Junior High and Queen Creek Junior High with its “Student of the Month” award.

The Student of the Month award recognizes and promotes the success of QCUSD students. Recipients are chosen based on characteristics identified in the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports  program, such as "be kind, be respectful, show integrity," a staff report stated.

“The Student of the Month student is conscientious and exhibits a determination to learn, while demonstrating these positive traits,” the report stated.

The following Newell Barney Junior High students were honored:

Kloey Bennett

“Kloey is a student who makes my heart swell with pride whenever I see her. I have known Kloey since the beginning of 7th grade. She has always been a solid student and a good kid to have in class. … Kloey is a young lady who 'gets it.' When we are talking about academics and strategies and applying ourselves – she 'gets it.' When we are talking about soft skills and challenges and forming good habits and relationships – she 'gets it.' I often see Kloey take whatever we are talking about and apply to herself both in, and outside of the classroom.”

Melanie Curtis

“Melanie always comes into band class prepared and ready to play her flute. She has made great progress on the flute since the beginning of the school year, and only picked up the flute in July. This is her first year playing the flute and is in a class of students who on average have played their instrument for two-to-three years. She works hard at playing the flute, and I can see and hear all of the work she puts in both outside and inside of the classroom. ...  Along with her amazing work at the flute, Melanie is very respectful and kind towards all of her classmates.”

The following Queen Creek Junior High students were honored:

Ava Piracci

“She is one of the most respectful students I have had the honor of teaching, which is only matched by her desire to perform beyond expectations. Ava is always kind in class, lending help when others ask, partnering with students who do not have a partner, and always greeting me with a smile on her face. She is respectful beyond belief, always going out of her way to treat her fellow classmates the right way and always following rules and expectations. Her integrity is also something to recognize. Ava is always picking up after her classmates and turning in work of the highest quality.”

Ella Holyoak

“Ella always brightens my day whenever she is in my class. She is kind to others, always helping out her peers without ever being asked. She is never disrespectful or disruptive. Ella shows integrity every day by completing her work to the highest quality. Her science notebook is immaculate, and she works hard every day. She never fails to say goodbye and wish me a good day at the end of class. I wish all students were like Ella.”