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Making the Grade: Outstanding Character Program

HARRIET HAMILTONSummit Daily News
Summit Daily/Brad Odekirk
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Advice columnist Abigail Van Buren, also known as “Dear Abby,” summed up her definition of good character in one sentence.”The best index to a person’s character is (a) how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and (b) how he treats people who can’t fight back,” she said.Most people aspire to live lives of compassion and good character, but it’s usually other qualities, such as athletic prowess or academic success, that win awards.The Outstanding Character program at Summit High works to change the perception that good character is not worth noticing. Every month while school is in session, a group of students are selected to receive awards for living up to Van Buren’s definition.The following students were named Summit High School’s “Students with Outstanding Character” for the month of May:• Freshman Randy Clark doesn’t limit his musical expression to just one instrument. In addition to singing tenor in the choir, Randy also plays clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, drums, guitar and oboe. He was nominated by four different teachers.

“Randy is always willing to help his peers on their projects and share his knowledge,” Terri Vantiger said. “He will always pitch in and help and never ask why.” “Randy is a highly motivated music student. He loves to sing, he is encouraging, and he is a leader for others,” Cathie Hill added. “Randy is a very talented musician, both in the areas of choir and band,” Stephanie Texera said. “He is a very dedicated student and a great contributor to the band program.” “Randy is a leader and always a positive role model in my class,” Jennifer Blevins added. “He always goes out of his way to make people feel good by giving compliments or at least making them laugh. He is a hard worker and is making good choices. I am glad he has been nominated by other teachers because this will help him to realize that the good choices pay off!”• Senior Stephan Collard plans to attend the University of Northern Colorado next fall. He’s not sure, but he thinks he might major in English or art, and he hopes to continue to wrestle. Stephan was nominated by Jim Smith and Dorothy Sabo.”Stephan has always shown outstanding character both in the classroom and on the football field,” Smith said.

“I have known Stephan since he was in the seventh grade at the middle school,” Sabo added. “In all the time that I have known him he has always been pleasant and respectful.”• Senior Daniel Beitscher was nominated by Terri Vantiger and Tom Akins.”Daniel always has a smile on his face and is willing to help on any project,” Vantiger said. “I can always plan on Daniel to fill in when there are short spots.”Daniel does excellent work in my class,” Akins said. “He has no problem doing extra credit work for Tech Lab and he is always willing to help other students.”• Senior Tessa Manton was nominated by Terri Vantiger.”Tessa is always willing to pitch in and help any way she can,” Vantiger said. “I would also like to recognize her for all her hard work on her ‘clip it and sip it’ design for the Summit County Restaurant Association.”



Two students received recognition as “Students with Outstanding Character” for the month of June.• Sophomores Brian Joyce and Kim Baker discovered $110 in the grass and never considered keeping cash that didn’t belong to them.”I couldn’t have spent that money,” Joyce said. The pair were nominated by Kristin Yankowski.”Brian and Kim came to the rugby scrimmage at the high school to watch the game and found a money clip with a wad of cash in it,” Yandowski said. “Instead of pocketing the money Kim and Brian turned in the money to me. I believe this shows an extreme amount of character to not pocket the money and turn it in. These two young adults show what it means to be a Summit Tiger.”Nominations for the honor are accepted from school staff and members of the community. The program will begin again next fall. Sponsors Erick Finnestead and Dorothy Sabo expressed thanks to all who nominated students during the 2005-2006 school year.


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