Students recognized at meeting

By Jennifer Jean Miller
SPARTA — The Distinguished Student Award winning student and the Sparta Middle School Students of the Marking Period were recognized on Monday, June 30, at the Sparta Board of Education meeting.

Sparta Mayor Molly Ann Whilesmith presented Isabella Cuan, 18, with the Distinguished Student Award. The annual award is one that comes from the township, to celebrate a notable outgoing member of each senior class from all of the high schools in town, Whilesmith said.

“Our 2014 winner is a well-rounded young lady,” Whilesmith said, pointing out that Cuan was also the class salutatorian.

“Congratulations on a successful career at Sparta,” said Sparta Superintendent of Schools Dennis Tobin.

Cuan will begin attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.

The other group of students to receive recognition was the Students of the Marking Period, for the fourth marking period, from the Sparta Middle School. Brad Davis, the school’s assistant principal, acknowledged the students.

“Each marking period our middle school team teachers choose two students from each team to name the ‘students of the marking period,’” said Davis. “These students are chosen for their overall demeanor and character in and out of the classroom. These students are also chosen for the way in which they advocate for themselves and for their classmates, each and every day.”

Sixth grade student teams included Drew Buchanan and Emily Opresnik, Amber Team, Mia Voneisenburg and Nick Remo, Topaz Team, and Gia Perdikis and Sarah Wille, Sapphire Team).

Seventh graders from the various teams were Brianna Cotten and Turner Tullis, Diamond Team, Ryan Dailey and Derek Campbell, Garnet Team, and Nubin Chen and Zoe Merold. Ruby Team.

Eighth grade students honored for the fourth marking period were Kevin Berlin and Jack Berlin, Pearl Team, Kaitie McGuckin and Ben Dottinger, Jade Team, and Erin Vreeland and Buddy Al-Aydi, Emerald Team.