J.C. McKenna Awarded the Spirit of Excellence
You could feel the excitement on Friday afternoon as the student body of Evansville’s J.C. McKenna Middle School gathered in the High School Performing Arts Center. They assembled to celebrate and receive the 2019-2020 Spirit of Excellence Award.
What is the Spirit of Excellence? The program honors Wisconsin schools that achieve excellence in leadership development, school spirit, sportsmanship and service to school and community. Each year, a selection committee consisting of members from WASC, AWSA, Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association, Wisconsin Association for Middle Level Educators, Wisconsin Parent Teacher Association, Rotary and WEA Trust selects one middle school as the state winner and one as the runner up. The winner receives a trophy, awarded at a school assembly. This year’s recipients will be recognized at a Milwaukee Bucks game in April.
The assembly featured performances by students and congratulations from a number of special guests.
Mrs. Dobbs, principal, and the Student Council advisors Mrs. Kopf, Miss Isbell, and Miss Baumberger welcomed everyone and got the assembly started. The Jazz Band performed a marvelous rendition of “What a Wonderful World” directed by Mr. Zblewski.
Dr. Michelle McGrath, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Association of School Councils, spoke to explain the award and congratulate the school. “I cannot think of a school more deserving than you all. You have demonstrated leadership in all sorts of venues and all sorts of levels. This year, for example, with the WASC, your school is hosting the State Student Leadership Conference held in Madison in the middle of April.”
Ms. Shelley Joan Weiss, Wisconsin Association for Middle Level Education and National Middle School Association Board Representative, spoke next. “You’ve set the standard for other schools to strive toward… to be like you, to demonstrate the kind of enthusiasm you have and to demonstrate the commitment you’ve made to yourselves, your classmates, and to your community.”
Ms. Sheila Weihert, Association of Wisconsin School Administrators representative, shared her congratulations. “(As shown in) your portfolio, by bringing people together and persisting, you are building relationships. And really, that’s what it’s all about.”
Ms. Meaghan McGuire, WASC Region V JAM Advisor and advisor at Monroe Middle School, added in her speech that J.C. McKenna students share projects and events ideas at WASC events. She state this collaboration with students from other schools impacts communities beyond Evansville.
WASC Student Leaders presented the award to J.C. McKenna: Dylan Kopf, Evansville Junior and WASC State Chief of Staff; Marissa Vosberg, Monroe Sophomore and WASC State Chief of Staff; and Burke Murphy, Stoughton Senior and WASC Region V President.
J.C. McKenna Student Council Officers?Dawson Kopf, Finley Baumberger, Kelsey Deegan, Kara Brice, and Emma Hammond received the award on behalf of the school. The officers listed the many activities, events, and groups highlighted in their winning portfolio and participating students raised their hands when called.
The Officers also took time to thank the staff of J.C. McKenna for the time, effort, and support needed to make the events and activities happen.
The program concluded with an amazing performance from the Blue Notes Audition Choir, directed by Mrs. Proper, singing “You Will Be Found”.
As Mrs. Dobbs stated in her final words, “What a way to end our Friday…this is amazing!”
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