Cheyanne Shofner named PBL High School’s Student of the Month
Cheyanne Shofner of Paxton has been named student of the month for September at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School.
Cheyanne, a junior, is the daughter of Jody and Brad Fults. She was nominated for the award by her teacher, Margo Elson.
Mrs. Elson stated in her nomination, “Cheyanne has become a model student for Panther Academy, PBL’s alternative education program. She comes to school for one reason only…her education. She meets all of the five criteria for Student of the Month even when odds are against her.
Cheyanne’s academic performance includes class participation, exceptional grades, perfect attendance, classwork completion, independent study, and a dramatic improvement in all things school related. Cheyanne has finished an entire year of U.S. History and one semester of Psychology in three weeks. During this time, she was working 39-40 hours per week at Hardee’s. Before I met Cheyanne, I was worried about her education taking a back seat to her work schedule. She has proven that to be untrue. Cheyanne does not take breaks in class, she is constantly working, she is working on school work at home, and she is still able to keep a full-time job.
Respect must be Cheyanne’s middle name because I have never seen or heard anything remotely disrespectful concerning Cheyanne Shofner. I am amazed that someone so young can have so many adult-like qualities. In my eyes, finding a hard-working, responsible teenager is far and few between but I am proud to say that I get to hang out with one every school day.
Her classroom behavior is impeccable. I can trust Cheyanne will follow classroom expectations even if I was not to be present. Her respect for adults and peers does not sway; she treats all with the utmost respect.
Cheyanne is a part of Paxton’s workforce which proves that she is a valuable citizen. She does not have many extra hours in the day because she is so focused on her academics and being successful at her full-time job.
Cheyanne is a perfect role model for our alternative education program because she is proving to her peers that school may not have been her focus in the past, but with hard work and self-motivation anything is possible. Many of her classmates look up to her, and ask, “How is she able to complete so much work in such little time?” One student replied, “Because she comes in here and only works. She does not mess around.”
Cheyanne is a student of very few words, but her actions and achievements are speaking volumes at Panther Academy. She has set the standard for success in alternative education. Cheyanne deserves all the positive acknowledgement in the world…she is doing awesome! I am very proud to be called her teacher.
The student of the month award is sponsored by the Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois. 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 Just Hamburgers gift certificate. The other students that were nominated for September Student of the Month are Ella Curry, Charman Snow, Isabella Martinez, and Tyler Smith. Congratulations to Ella, Charman, Isabella, Tyler and Cheyanne!