Students at Sacaton Elementary School Recognized for Academic Achievements

Kyle Knox

Gila River Indian News

At a school board meeting students were recognized for their academic achievements. Eleven students from the Sacaton Elementary School District #18 (SESD) were awarded for the month of January, during the school’s monthly board meeting. Dr. Cherryl Paul, SESD Superintendent, presided over the student awards recognition and praised their continued efforts in exemplifying SESD’s core values of compassion, respect, vision, community, and empowerment. 

The list of students awarded for January are Tianna Estrella (preschool), Aziah Morris (kindergarten), Joe Carpio (first grade), Dre Jose Millard (second grade), Kally Jackson (third grade), Monique Percy (fourth grade), Mariah Pratt (fifth grade), Dereon Pancott (sixth grade), Abriana Santos (seventh grade), Annalaeya Hoover (eighth grade), and Jacob Miller (eighth grade).

Dr. Paul was very excited for all the students stating, “I am honored to work with our talented Sacaton students, as they are our future leaders.” Regardless of the current circumstances, Dr. Paul remains cheerful and encouraging of all SESD students, further stating, “I believe in their [students] capabilities, drive to overcome obstacles, resiliency, and hope for the future.”

For the monthly awards, every student will receive a letter from the superintendent, award certificate, and invitation to attend the board meeting where they are officially named. Elementary school students will also receive a single long stem rose and bumper sticker presented by Wanda Burton, Sacaton Elementary School Principal and the middle school students will receive necklaces and “achievement coupons” to use at a local store from Mrs. Hall, Sacaton Elementary School District’s Cultural Teacher. 

Despite the COVID-19 precautions, the awards will provide a sense of normalcy and give them something to work towards. As the school year continues, one student per grade will continue to receive a prize each month. For award consideration, they must demonstrate SESD’s core values, as stated above and address SESD’s monthly themes.