Yavapai News

The Prescott Unified School District Governing Board body welcomed PUSD Education Foundation President Jenna James to talk about the the foundation's annual Rising Stars event during the board's meeting on May 2.

Each year, the PUSD Education Foundation honors graduating seniors and the staff member they say have been the most influential in their academic careers. Rising Stars are student members of the PUSD who have overcome adversity learning struggles, ranging from medical trauma or disability, death of a loved one or a learning disability. All of the rising stars “have a future plan to either attend a two year or four year university to attend trade school or to enter the military," according to PUSD.

"In my personal opinion, rising Stars is the physical embodiment of capturing kid's hearts," James told the board. "You cannot teach a student until you hold their heart and rising star shows that is what the incredible educators in our district are doing for our students."

Rising Stars are chosen through an application process sent out to the schools, where teachers, staff and administrators nominate students they believe represent the mission of Rising Stars. Eight students are then chosen from that pool by the foundation committee. Students have a grade-point average of at least 3.0, are involved in one extracurricular activity and show motivation, kindness, work ethic, have shown how they rose above their challenges and are looking to extend their educational career in some regard are eligible PUSD stated. Nominated students select an educator who made the biggest impact on them throughout their career, and then the students surprise those educators with the recognition during the school day a few weeks before the ceremony.

During the meeting the PUSD Education Foundation honored students Elijah Resnick and his chosen teacher Jim Rhine; Cameron Brown, who honored Missy Townsend; Jessica Cope, who chose Jen Hawley; Maurea Norris. who was inspired by Helen Wanamaker; Joaquin Sierra and teacher Rebecca Wood; Shailyn Almquist and her chosen instructor Crystal Ontiveros; Leilani Chuning and educator Brenda Lee; and Michaella Kpodo with influential teacher Molly Orr.

The foundation showed Videos of these stories, and “after each video, we invite the teacher or the distinguished educator to say a few words about the student. And then every student and teacher pair are honored with a special gift from the foundation,” James explained, saying there is rarely a dry eye in the house.