Alabaster students honored for character

Published 10:28 am Wednesday, September 26, 2018

By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Six Alabaster students recently earned praise for demonstrating a high level of character at their respective schools, as they recently received Character in Action awards for their efforts.

Alabaster City Schools joined the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and Shelby County Juvenile Court to present the awards to the students during a Sept. 19 ceremony at Family Connection.

The Character in Action awards are a partnership between the Shelby County, Alabaster and Pelham school systems and the Shelby County Juvenile Court, and are awarded to students based on several criteria: Respect, self-discipline, responsibility, citizenship, friendship, fairness, perseverance and courage.

The students were nominated by their teachers or school administrators, who had the following things to say about each winner:

-Creek View Elementary School student Addison Pearson was nominated by her teacher Christyn Simmons.

“She always carries herself in a positive manner when in the community, and other peers look up to her She is a wonderful role model for children her age,” Simmons wrote, noting Pearson goes out of her way to befriend and help other students. “Addison always strives to do her very best in everything she does.”

-Meadow View Elementary School student Noah Humpherys was nominated by MVES teacher Melody Jordon.

“He is such a God-loving child, and is always wanting to please adults and peers. When faced with a challenge and temptation, you can hear Noah ask himself and peers “is that a good choice?” Jordon wrote, adding Humpherys regularly sings the national anthem at Special Olympics events. “He will always ask friends if they are OK or if they need anything. All of the teachers in our school know and love Noah’s smiling face and radiant personality.”

-Jael Ramirez Rojas earned the Character in Action award for Thompson Intermediate School for being a “shining example of respect.”

“He is respectful of all peers and adults he comes in contact with at school. He shows self-respect by taking pride in his schoolwork, classroom and school building,” read his nomination form. Jael is a true friend with a compassionate and kind heart. When Jael works in groups, he is sure to involve everyone and provide his classmates with a chance to participate in the project.”

-Thompson Sixth Grade Center Principal Dr. Daniel Steele nominated student Sasha Gann for the school’s Character in Action award.

“Sasha is a sweet kid who looks out for others with her actions and words. She has a positive attitude every day, she is constantly nice to others and helping whenever she can,” Steele wrote. “Sasha takes responsibility seriously, and always works her hardest on assignments. She is always prepared for class, and as soon as she walks in to class, she immediately begins getting her materials ready to learn.”

-Taylor Rogers earned the Thompson Middle School Character in Action award for her “dedication to excellence.”

“Taylor is such a hard worker. She has the self-discipline to set goals for herself in academics and in her after-school activities,” read her nomination form, noting she is involved in track, Student Council, National Junior Honor Society and the TMS band. “She takes time to check on others and make sure they are having a good day. She also takes time to speak to the adults in the building and encourage them.”

-Thompson High School student Will Vickers was nominated for the award by THS Principal Dr. Wesley Hester.

“He makes a point to recognize the value in others, many times finding their interests and having conversations with them about those interests. He follows rules and guidelines set forth, and he is an example to others in his adherence to expectations,” Hester wrote. “Will has a high level of commitment to any task that he is assigned and that he sets to accomplish. He is a young man that I would entrust with taking care of many complex and complicated tasks.”