Student Council officers awarded eight students the “Be the Good” award for the month of November in recognition of their positive behavior in the high school.

What is the “Be the Good” award? It’s the updated version of the “Caught in the Act” award, which Student Council had issued in previous years to reward students who were observed showing kindness or courtesy.  However, the award now focuses on recognizing students who go the extra mile, according to Student Council adviser Mr. Tom Boyd.

“We thought it was important to recognize those who were going above and beyond to try to bring something good into someone else’s life,” he said.

He explained that it is more than just opening a door or picking up someone’s pencil. One recipient, for instance, volunteers her study hall time to work with the students in the Up for Life program.

Boyd invited teachers to nominate recipients via email. Winners were Cassandra Waldie, Nick Palermo, Breanna Davis, Kadesha McKenzie, Gianna Figueroa, Rachel Savage, Heather Gibbins, Maggie Sampson, and Randy Barlow. The winners were called down to the office during Period 8, where Student Council officers Isabella Massey and Elizabeth Thackston presented them with certificates.

For Massey, the award offers an incentive to do good,

“To let people something to strive toward and to reward those who do those good acts,” she said.

For Rachel Savage, one of the eight recipients, the award was a pleasant surprise.

“The award encourages students to be better people,” she said. “I had no idea why I was getting out of band class, but it was a nice surprise.”

Be the Good awards will be awarded to students every month.