From helping teachers grade assignments to making a half-court shot that lands on local news, there are many ways a student can gain recognition, not only from family and friends but also from the school. There are three awards a student can receive from the OHS administration that celebrate a student’s hard work and perseverance.
The first two awards, Student of the Month and Soaring Eagles, focus primarily on a student’s success on campus. The third award, Eagle Impact, commemorates achievements outside of school that impact not only people we know but also the community as a whole. This includes working at local businesses like Dutch Bros, Brushfire, or Slim Chickens. Jobs like these are an excellent way for students to learn how to be effective leaders and prepare for their future.
“When we think of impact, we tie it back to the O’Connor way: Learn, Lead, and Contribute, and we pick one of those three topics, which is leadership. If you’re making a positive impact, you’re demonstrating leadership,” said Justin McLain, assistant principal.
The Eagle Impact Award is the newest of the three awards, the idea originally being from another school.
“It came to us as an idea from a community volunteer, Mrs. Baker, who has had experience working with Goldwater and running a similar recognition program. So, we’ve taken the concepts and the ideas, and we’ve “O’Connorized” it, and we made it fit within our school bell schedule and what works best for students,” McLain said.
The Eagle Impact Award can be given to students by teachers who nominate them for excelling in whatever they’re doing.
“I got it from my ceramics teacher; he said I was a strong leader in class, and excelled, and helped others,” said Grace Duarte, freshman.
The unique part about the Eagle Impact Award, which differs from both Soaring Eagles and Student of the Month, is that it promotes students’ accomplishments in the community instead of school, even students who don’t participate in extracurricular activities like band, athletics, theatre, etc.
“Sometimes it’s only the athletes, or the ones who are doing well in band and choir, who are getting the awards, so this kind of opens that up,” said Heather Lambert, Curriculum Secretary.
Overall, the Eagle Impact Award is a beneficial program that helps to recognize students who still work hard, yet might not always be the first choice to celebrate. It also further helps students feel like they belong here at OHS.
“The Eagle Impact is a little more than [Student of the Month]. It’s kids who truly go above and beyond,” said Gregg Carol, Dean of Students. “Anytime we can incorporate things to recognize kids for the positive things they do, I think it’s a good thing.”
Leela Heitsmith standing with OHS admin and Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien for the Eagle Impact Award. (Left to right: Beth Baker, Ann O’Brien, Leela Heitsmith, and Justin McLain)
