Shown, Dick Wells added color to the award presentation by appearing in the military uniform of that period. Wells presented the Sons of the American Revolution History Scholarship to Manuel Arjon. [Photo by Carol Gerrond]

It was a very good night Thursday, May 16. Neponset Grade School held its annual Athletic and Eighth Grade Awards Ceremony. A full turn-out of Neponset and Kewanee parents, grandparents, students , and the occasional interloper (like me) filled long tables in the gym, enjoying pizza, cookies, and individual boxes of Cracker Jack. Can you think of any light meal better suited to honor a bunch of lively kids? (Principal Dena Hodge-Bates assured me the eating part of the event would be over in 15 minutes, and she was right!)

Following this repast, John Blake, Tatum Drury, Danielle Hoopes, Ms. Hodge-Bates (for Jackie Haage), and Ms. Corral gave out athletic awards in boys’ and girls’ basketball, track, volleyball, cheerleading, scholastic bowl, and art.

Then Ms. Hodge-Bates announced the winners of the Eighth grade scholarship awards as follows:

Jay Scott Music Scholarship Award: Lily Switzer-Bowers
Nate Yepsen History Award: Rylee Blades and Manuel Arjon
Dean Blake Athletic Award: Rylee Blades and Manuel Arjon
American Citizenship Award: Manuel Arjon, Rylee Blades, Armany De La Torre
Sons of the American Revolution History Scholarship: Manuel Arjon

The Bus Stetson Math and Science award, Presidential Awards, and American Legion Awards were given out during the Eighth Grade Promotion Exercises on May 21.

All in all, it was a good experience to see the young people recognized for putting so much effort into doing well, in sports and studies—or in many cases, both. In my former life as a teacher, I helped choose recipients for such honors, and I can tell you, the decision isn’t usually easy.

When ever-smaller classes made Neponset decide to give up its schools and join the Kewanee district, I was one of the residents who wondered whether we were giving up what had always been an excellent school system. I can only judge as an outsider, but it seems to me from what I’ve observed from the awards ceremony, other school events, and most of all, chatting with the students, teachers, and parents, we can be proud of NGS and glad to be a part of it.

Best of luck to all you NGS-ers! Keep the faith and hang on!

Your friend, Carol