The annual awards and recognition presentations at Indus School were changed from an evening to an afternoon event which took place May 23 in the school commons.
The student-led awards ceremony was conducted by Indus Student Council and included three awards which were voted on by students for Best Attitude, Most Effort, and Best Sense of Humor for each grade in high school.
Council members Isabelle Cress and Maggie Morgan emceed the program.
Academic awards were presented by Indus Administrative Secretary Tracy Keeney, and included the announcement of valedictorian and salutatorian, academic excellence awards, awards for students attaining 28 credits plus, A and B honor roll achievers, and Student of the Month awards in the high school.
Several teachers gave awards for students who went “above and beyond” in their school work: Jessamine Julian, English instructor, presented an award to RayAnna Wolden for great improvement and interest in reading; Lois Lewis, ProStart teacher, presented Jace Nelson a Certificate of Achievement for completing two years of instruction and participating in an invitational competition.
Physical education and health instructor Melody Nelson-Swenson recognized second-grader AnMarie Peterson for her athletic prowess, and junior Austin Stavish for his consistent attitude and work ethic.
Nelson-Swenson also recognized the students and staff who placed a the top in the standings for their age group in the recent Indus Annual 5-K Run.
Soren Olesen, industrial technology instructor, presented freshman Gavyn Burge with an award acknowledging his progress in shop class, and music teacher Stacy Ottemann presented senior Chanaya Wheelock with an award for Outstanding Band Member and seventh grader Irish Malapitan for Outstanding Choir Member. Ottemann also recognized other students for their band and chorus achievements.
Activity and club awards were presented, as follows: Coach Stacy Ottemann recognized those students participating in the drama club; Lisa Simon, National Honor Society adviser, paid tribute to the National Honor Society members and their active year; Lois Lewis acknowledged the efforts of the Student Council, the speech team, and the newspaper/yearbook staff, all of which she advises; and Soren Olesen recognized the students in the Bluegrass Club for their efforts.
Sports awards and recognition were presented by Soren Olesen for the Cross Country and Track and Field students who participated in a co-operative arrangement with Lake of the Woods and Rainy River, Ontario, schools. He also acknowledged those students who participated in Tae Kwon Do this year.
Tom Van Damme, girls volleyball coach, recognized team members who played during the 2015-16 school year. Mike Feininger paid tribute to students within the student body who signed up for co-op football, wrestling, or other individual sports.
