For students who often go unnoticed, the Student Recognition Program serves as a chance to gain appreciation and gratitude.

The Student Recognition Program aims to honor students who rarely achieve recognition from a traditional Park program.

Recognition is not based on GPA or on athletic or extracurricular achievements. Instead, staff members nominate students for development in areas such as leadership, participation, commitment, hard work or attitude.

Health teacher Allison Luskey said the Student Recognition Program offers teachers the opportunity to recognize underappreciated students.

“The program is special because these students may not otherwise receive awards,”  Luskey said. “It’s our way of showing the kid who is quiet but doing the right thing our appreciation.”

Junior Adam Belzer, who was nominated by Computer Tech teacher Jacob Utities for his work in Computer Tech and Park Tech, said the Student Recognition Program displays the achievements and efforts of a variety of students.

“There were people who had been given awards who had overcome difficulties and continued to do well in school and became stronger because of their struggles,” Belzer said.

Belzer also said he thinks the program helps show students their importance in the classroom.

“Some students may feel undervalued and this is a beneficial way to show them appreciation,” Belzer said.

Luskey also said she feels this program shows the diversity of student accomplishments and emphasizes the importance of positive behavior.

“This program is important because there are a variety of reasons kids can be recognized and we often only recognize kids based on grades and extracurricular performance,” Luskey said.

Parents, students and staff attended the event, which involved an address by Joann Karetov, the presentation of certificates to students by the teacher who nominated them and refreshments.

Luskey said the Student Recognition Program promotes leadership through action as well as good behavior in the classroom.

“This is a way for individual staff to give students recognition and to encourage positive behavior, leadership and hard work in the classroom.”