Two third graders from College Street Elementary School were selected for the honor of Student of the Month for March. Ava Grogan and Jeremiah Hernandez were nominated by their teachers based on their character, ethics and well roundedness as students.

“When they sent me Jeremiah and Ava’s names, I was just thrilled because they’re great kids,” principal Dana Sustaire said. “I’ve known them both for a long time, and they have never wavered [in character]. They’re just overall great little citizens.”

Teacher Kalyn Hefner nominated Grogan for several reasons, including her involvement in soccer, softball and basketball as well as her consistency in receiving straight A’s. Grogan is on the Mindset Breaking Team, which advanced to finals and placed sixth overall at competition. Grogan enjoys drawing animals and aspires to be an artist when she grows up.

“Ava is an excellent student,” Hefner said. “Most of all, Ava is a great friend to everyone, and her teachers can always trust her to do the right thing.”

Hernandez was selected by teacher Taylor Collins for his helpfulness in the classroom and kindness to others. Hernandez has been a member of the Boy Scouts of America for three years, receives  A’s and B’s and was an alternate in the Spelling Bee at the Academic Rodeo this year. He enjoys playing with Legos, spending time with his two year old brother and aspires to be a NASCAR driver.

“Jeremiah is a star student because he is kind to everyone he meets,” Collins said. “He is always willing to lend a helping hand and is a pleasure to teach.”

Both students enjoy the subjects of math and reading as well as share an interest in soccer. Grogan thinks that the best thing about being student of the month is “how [the teachers] chose” her. Similarly, Hernandez feels that it is “cool to get to be in the high school newspaper” for being selected.

“They’ve always been strong students who care about their academics, are super respectful to all the grownups in the building and are always going out of their way to be polite and ask me how I’m doing,” Sustaire said. “I’m excited because I know they’re going to continue to be that way, and I feel like they’re great examples to all of our other students.”