Forks Jr. High Students of the Month for May

The Student of the Month project is sponsored by Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rain Forest (SIORF). Students of the Month are chosen by their teachers and honored with their parents at school for consistently displaying respect and responsibility for their behavior and academic achievement and always making good choices.

Shanyao Mo is a 7th grader whose parents are Wen Mo and Chun Zhang. His favorite subject in school is Math, and his favorite food is a red bean paste bun. His plans this summer are to better his English, but staff at FJH report that Shanyao’s English, as well as his work ethic and initiative, are superb. All say he is in an intelligent, independent, model student who is dedicated to his education. He comes to class each day prepared to learn, takes the initiative to utilize his iPad to translate assignments and to “talk” to students during partner discussions, and never allows his language barrier to get in the way of learning. One teacher said, “I wish every student would work as hard as Shanyao. He meets learning targets and requirements that are set for our students who have English as their native language. I can’t imagine moving from a giant city in China to the small town of Forks and adjusting as well as he has.” Another teacher said, “His English has improved so much since he came to Forks in the middle of his 6th grade year! I am proud of his hard work, dedication, and perseverance!” Congratulations on winning Student of the Month, Shanyao!

Kyra Neel is a 7th grader whose parents are Jenn LeDuke and James Neel. Her favorite subjects in school are Math and Social Studies; after school, Kyra likes playing sports and helping with her grandma’s garden. Her favorite food is steak, and her dream career is to be a sports physician. Staff at FJH report that Kyra is attentive in class, diligent about work, kind, respectful, helpful, and encouraging to both her classmates and her teachers. Kyra works very hard in class to create work that she is proud of, she comes to class everyday ready to learn, and always makes up work after an absence. One teacher said, “Kyra is a perfect example of teacher expectations of behavior in the classroom. Her smile, humor, and easy going attitude are appreciated by teachers and the other students around her. I don’t think I have ever seen her not happy and smiling in my class, even when she claims she is in a bad mood! She lights up the room with her smile.” Another teacher said, “Kyra Neel is an excellent student and friend to all. Her smile is contagious as well as her happy-go-lucky demeanor!” Congratulations on winning Student of the Month, Kyra!

Riley Pursley is an 8th grader whose parents are Amber and Joe Pursley. His favorite subjects in school are History and PE, his favorite hobbies are basketball, football, and baseball. Riley’s favorite food is hamburgers. His dream job is to be a helicopter pilot, and this summer he plans on playing sports.

Staff members report that Riley is courteous, helpful, hard-working, friendly, and kind to both his classmates and his teachers. One teacher said, “Riley is a very responsible student-athlete who makes it a point to complete work on time. He maintains that same attitude during sports. Riley comes to class prepared and is willing to push himself to do better and be challenged.” Another teacher said, “Riley tries hard to do his best; at times re-taking assessments until he has an A+. He is respectful and very responsive to his peers. If someone has needed help or asked him a question, he takes the time to help or answer. He also has worked with a partner or partners in class when no one else did. He always makes sure no one is in the awkward position of not having a partner to work with.” Congratulations on winning Student of the Month, Riley!

Malana Chatman-Neuhauser is an 8th grader whose parents are Sean Neuhauser and LaTrevia Chatman. Her favorite subjects in school are Geometry, Geom-ART-ry, and PE, ..and after school, her favorite food is pizza, her favorite hobby is drawing, and she loves going outside and being with her family.

Malana’s dream job is to be an architect, and her plans for the summer are to attend YMCA leadership training. The staff at FJH, report that Malana is a critical thinker, a positive role model and a person with a great sense of humor. She takes her role as a student and citizen seriously, always turns in high quality work, and makes discussions more interesting. She is kind and conscientious of her actions and her impact on others. One teacher reported, “Malana is wonderfully creative. In Geom-ART-ry, she has created fantastic artwork: her original designs are captivating; she can do realism, abstract, black-and-white, contrasting colors; her pieces have consistently managed to make me smile, laugh, or feel optimistic, and what a great artistic quality that is! She has been an inspiring student for me in so many ways.” Congratulations on winning Student of the Month, Malana!

Congratulations to these May Students of the Month received a certificate and a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble.

Students were honored with their parents at a pizza luncheon at the Junior High school.

Congratulations to the May Students of the Month!