Karley Putnam named PBL High School’s Student of the Month
Karley Putnam of Loda has been named student of the month for February at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School. Karley is the daughter of Craig and Pam Putnam. She was nominated for this award by her agriculture teacher, Kirsten Wyatt.
Mrs. Wyatt said in her nomination, “Karley is a remarkable individual who embodies the values of compassion, honesty, loyalty, responsibility, trustworthiness, and hard work. She not only excels academically but also demonstrates outstanding leadership skills in her roles as Vice President of the PBL FFA chapter and Section 17 FFA officer. Her commitment to excellence is evident in her involvement in multiple bands, including the marching band, show band, and jazz band, where she consistently brings enthusiasm and skill to her performances. She is also a member of the math team who recently qualified for State competition.”
Mrs. Wyatt stated, “Despite her busy schedule, Karley maintains a part-time job at IGA while excelling in her academic studies. Her work ethic and time management skills are truly commendable, reflecting her determination to succeed in all aspects of her life.”
Along with those excellent attributes, Mrs. Wyatt indicated, “Karley’s passion for agriculture education is inspiring. During our recent FFA Week Open House, I asked Karley to take on the challenge of teaching lessons to over 540 students from Clara Pete Elementary School. Without hesitation, she embraced this opportunity and delivered engaging and informative lessons that captivated the young audience. Her ability to connect with students and impart knowledge effectively highlights her potential as a future agriculture educator.”
Mrs. Wyatt also shared, “Karley is an exceptional student who exhibits not only academic excellence but also strong leadership, dedication, and a genuine passion for her chosen field. Her diverse involvement in extracurricular activities, coupled with her unwavering work ethic, makes her a deserving candidate for the Student of the Month award!”
Karley participates in band, FFA, National Honor Society, and math team. She volunteers to cook and serve meals for farmers and teachers in the fall. Karley also helps with the Angel Tree Organization for families in need during the holidays. She has played with the PBL band for the Buddy Walk. Karley plans to attend college and major in agriculture education. Her list of honors and awards are as follows: District Runner-up in Agriculture Education, Outstanding Junior Award (PBL FFA), 1st Place at Regionals in Oral Competition (Math Team), Section winner in Veterinary Science (FFA), Star in Agriscience (FFA), Section winner in Agriscience (Integrated Systems), 2nd Place individual Pre-Calculus Regional Competition (Math Team).
The student of the month award is sponsored by The Bank of Pontiac. The award recognizes PBL High School students who demonstrate the school district’s mission of “Excellence through rigor, relevance, and relationships.” Teachers nominate students and the winner receives $50 and the other nominees receive a $5 gift certificate for Just Hamburgers. The other students that were nominated for February Student of the Month were Gabriela Aguilera, Daniel Boston, Ethan Shook, Matthew Suaava, and Karlee Welp. Congratulations to all the nominees and our winner, Karley Putnam!