By Marisa Dawson, Photo courtesy of BPS

Students from both Bennington Middle School and Bennington South Middle School were recently recognized through the Rotary Honor Roll program, which celebrates the top 5% of eighth grade students across the Omaha Metro for their academic achievement, leadership, character and presence.

Students were honored during a luncheon held Monday, April 27, at the CHI Health Center Omaha.

According to Bennington Middle School counselor Amy Baumann, the program has a long-standing tradition of recognizing outstanding students.

“This is the 99th Rotary Honor Roll celebration,” Baumann said. “The program has a long history of celebrating those top tier 8th graders. I have been at Bennington for 20 years, and we have always participated in the Rotary Honor Roll program. It is exciting and rewarding to see some of our outstanding students celebrated!”

Baumann explained that students are selected based on more than academics alone. “Rotary Honor Roll focuses on Character, Leadership, Scholarship, and Presence,” she said. “Every year eighth grade teachers take those qualities into consideration when they select the top 5% of students from each of Bennington Middle Schools.”

This year’s honorees represented a wide range of activities and interests throughout the schools.

“This year’s honorees not only excelled in the four areas of Rotary Honor Roll, but they represent Bennington in so many ways every day,” Baumann said. “From student athletes and musicians, to quiz bowl members; they truly showed a diverse group of outstanding 8th graders!”

She added that recognizing leadership and character alongside academic success reflects the philosophy of Bennington Public Schools.

“Part of our Middle School philosophy is to encourage and grow skills of leadership, kindness, honesty, and responsibility,” Baumann said. “We want students to not only perform well academically, but to become outstanding people in the community!”

The luncheon also gave students an opportunity to hear from community leaders and former Rotary Honor Roll recipients as they prepare for high school.

“Part of the Rotary Honor Roll luncheon is presentations and speeches from outstanding High Schoolers that are former Rotary Honor Roll winners,” Baumann said. “These speakers provide encouragement and inspiration about approaching your High School career. It’s a great way to set up their High School experience.”

Baumann said students are often surprised and honored to receive the recognition. “It means a lot to them that this is something their teachers choose them for,” she said. “It’s a fun experience to get a little dressed up and eat at the CHI Center ballroom.”

She also hopes younger students see the recognition as something to aspire toward. “I hope it gives students something to work towards, and demonstrates what we are looking for in our outstanding students,” Baumann said. “Of course grades are important, but there is more to it than just that. These students are stand out students in all ways!”

Students selected for the Rotary Honor Roll from Bennington Middle School and Bennington South Middle School included Marvelous Suhbusi, Alexander Sheets, Mason Dirkschneider, Stockton Draeger, Max McGrath, Finn O’Brien, Brooklynn Oswalt, Isabella Uggen, Callie Burbridge, Reese Markt, Hannah Stacy, Mitchell Junker, Isaac Sorrows, Thomas Scott, Nicole Fischer, Madysen Shacklett, Adalyn Nelson and Jordan Butterfield.