Templeton High School students recognized for academic excellence
The May 2015 Templeton High School Students of the Month and Featured Staff Member Shirley Brard. Photo Courtesy of Andrew Cherry, THS Principal.
-Special from the Soaring Eagle Press-
Templeton High School (THS) celebrated academic excellence last Wednesday with a special lunch at McPhee’s Grill in honor of the May 2015 THS Students of the Month & Featured Staff Member.
The award winning students are nominated for academic excellence and achievement, in addition to demonstrating traits that foster scholastic achievement in all students. These traits include, but are not limited to leadership, work ethic, and citizenship.
The May 2015 THS Students of the Month in alphabetical order are: Courtney Elterman, Jaron Fugile, Clare Livick, and Elijah Pinson.
Senior Courtney Elterman (4.20 GPA) was nominated by THS Principal Andrew Cherry.
“I cannot say enough good things about Courtney Elterman,” wrote Cherry. “She is a hard worker, energetic, ethical, charismatic, athletic, intelligent, nice, well-rounded, and on and on and on…”
“Courtney has been a wonderful Principal’s Aide this year, taking the initiative to do many things – including resurrecting the Rotary Interact Club, organizing food drives, and putting together an all-schools dance at the end of May,” said Cherry. “She is one in a million and has been a pleasure to work with.”
Senior Jaron Fugile (4.20 GPA) was nominated by THS Drama teacher Katherine Kingsbury.
“Jaron is a great representative of the Drama Program and Templeton High School in general,” wrote Kingsbury. “He is bright, engaged, creative, positive and supportive.”
“In addition, he shares his talents and gifts joyfully with others, leads by example, is a humble but effective leader, and a great friend to all his classmates,” continued Kingsbury.
“Jason transferred to THS in his senior year to pursue his passion in performing arts and a more challenging curriculum,” concluded Kingsbury. “He has made his mark at THS and has helped build the new drama program with enthusiasm and grace.”
Junior Clare Livick (4.29 GPA) was nominated by THS Math teacher Amy Fraser.
“Claire is a hard worker who takes responsibility for her learning and keeps on top of the material even when she is sick,” wrote Fraser. “She is quiet and diligent in class but still works great in a group.”
Elijah Pinson shares his wood harp with visitors during the Templeton High School Makers Faire on May 1 in the THS Gym. © Soaring Eagle Press 2015; All Rights Reserved.
Fraser went on to say, “Clare is really creative, as well as being very strong in math and science. She is taking a challenging load of classes and still uses her tutorial to be a Star tutor and help others.”
Senior Elijah Pinson (4.83 GPA) was nominated by THS Science teacher Jason Diodati.
“Eli has done a great job in Engineering,” wrote Diodati. “For his maker project, he built a wood harp and learned how to play it. It looks and sounds amazing! He is a very talented young man.”
THS ASB Director & Peer Communications teacher Shelley Brard is the May 2015 Featured THS Staff Member.
“I had the privilege of working with Shelley when she was hired by Templeton High School to start a new program on campus to improve school culture, create a peer-to-peer counseling program, and provide student tutoring for those who could not afford it,” wrote THS Principal Andrew Cherry.
“I was immediately impressed with her work ethic, professionalism, initiative, and ability to adapt and be successful in nearly any environment I put her in,” continued Cherry. “This often included working with and around both kids and adults.”
“While she has only worked with us for one year, Shelley has made her mark at Templeton High School,” concluded Cherry.
Brard graduated from Cal Poly SLO in 2010. Her favorite thing about being a teacher is getting a chance to show students they are loved and valued. When asked what her favorite thing to do when not at work she said, “Cooking or eating chips on her couch (just being honest).”
The THS Student of the Month recognition program is sponsored by Ian McPhee of McPhee’s Grill in downtown Templeton, and is coordinated / published by Soaring Eagle Press and its sponsors, in conjunction with the high school administration, teachers, and staff.
