Local students presented with Turnaround Awards at luncheon
By SYDNEY KENT
Three students were recognized Thursday afternoon for turning their lives around.
The Turnaround Awards began 21 years ago in 2002 from a partnership between former Mayor Ted Ellis and the Wells County Foundation. Current Mayor John Whicker has continued the tradition of the Turnaround Awards.
“The Wells County Turnaround awards recognizes students who have turned their lives and their behaviors around in school after exhibiting behavioral or academic issues,” Whicker said, “Recipients are determined in each school by administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors. Each high school student who is a winner receives a $2,500 scholarship in an accredited post secondary educational institution.”
The recipients of this year’s awards are Simon Hanes of Bluffton High School, Taylor Marschand of Norwell High School, and Cy Westfall of Southern Wells Junior-Senior High School.
Hanes was introduced as a recipient by Stacey Morrison, the assistant principal at Bluffton High School. Morrison explained that Hanes was not a “typical Turnaround Award recipient” in that he did not refuse to come to school or suffer academically, however, he did not enjoy school, contribute to class, and he would “allow his emotions to get in the way” at times.
“Each year, Simon became more and more confident in himself,” Morrison said. “He became more social with his classmates, began contributing to class, and gained a better understanding of how to express himself if he did not agree with an assignment. I believe his senior year is his best year yet.”
Morrison also shared thoughts from Hanes’ teachers. Nick Miller, a German language teacher at Bluffton High School, said he is very proud of the person Simon has become.
Vicki Van Matre, Hanes’ art teacher, said that although he “hated art” as a freshman, he continued to grow as a student and serve as “the best cadet she has ever had” in her class.
“Simon has done what we want all students to be able to do,” Morrison said. “He’s grown as a student, but, more importantly, he’s grown as a person.”
Jason Wilson, guidance counselor at Norwell High School, introduced Marschand by saying she has “certainly lived up to the title” of the Turnaround Award. When Marschand joined the school two years ago, she was behind on credits, her grade point average was low, and she had poor attendance.
“In order for Taylor to graduate on time, she was going to have to be nearly perfect for the next two years,” Wilson began. “Taylor never wavered, she was positive, and she said she was willing to do whatever it took to get through.”
Wilson said Marschand passed all of her classes in her first semester at Norwell, a first for her in high school, and then passed her classes again in the second semester. Marschand then began her senior year committed to a heavy course load that included 7 classes and a work-required experience. Wilson said Marschand maintained a positive attitude while raising her grade point average.
“For perspective, her GPA when she joined us was a .06,” Wilson explained. “In the two years since she has been with us, she now has a 3.1. This is my 14th year as a counselor and I can’t recall a time I have seen a turnaround this dramatic and inspiring.”
Wilson said Marschand met and exceeded the challenges presented to her, and even received the Golden Shield Award from the Family and Consumer Science Department.
“Not only did she turn around, she completely, completely turned around. To say that she has come a long way is the understatement of the afternoon.”
Doug Hunt, the engineering and design technology teacher at Southern Wells Junior-Senior High School, introduced Westfall as one of his students over the course of six years. Hunt said that Westfall was “low on enthusiasm” as a junior high school student, and in high school, continued to struggle to complete work and meet deadlines.
“Last year, as a junior, some interesting things began to happen inside,” Hunt said. “He began talking about what he would like to do after high school. This was new.”
Hunt explained that during his junior year, Westfall’s time in class became “increasingly more focused”, he talked more about the work he would like to do after high school, and he designed and built a guitar.
“During his junior year, his best friend, also enrolled in the class, moved away, leaving an unfinished guitar behind. Cy not only built his own guitar, and did a fine job, he also finished his friends guitar for him,” Hunt said. “At the end of the school year, Cy surprised his friend Justin with his finished guitar.”
Hunt said Westfall, who previously struggled to complete assignments on time, showed signs of becoming a responsible young man.
“Cy proved to be an excellent spokesperson for the program when the Bluffton Optimist Club invited the students to present their guitars at a morning breakfast. He was engaging, poised, and confident. This is clearly a new Cy.”
sydney@news-banner.com
