A monthly event that started about three years ago is aimed at recognizing students and celebrating the outstanding achievement of its students. This monthly event is designed to shine a spotlight on students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and positive contributions to the school community. Principal Traci Kannon appears at every event and never misses the monthly event to watch her own students become shining Mustangs. Parents, teachers, and community members are allowed to watch students receive their awards. 

Each month, teachers and staff will nominate students who have demonstrated exceptional performance in their studies, shown remarkable improvement, or made a significant impact through their involvement in extracurricular activities. Then, teachers nominate students who deserve to be honored as the “Student of the Month.” Students will receive a blue Mustang T-shirt that reads “Top of the Class,” a plaque, a certificate, and a delicious breakfast with a variety of food.

From administrators sending out the invitations to students, to the plaques being ordered, Student of the Month appreciates the students at Shadow Ridge who do something great everyday. It recognizes the students who make Shadow Ridge a better school to come to everyday for students, teachers, and staff. The “Student of the Month” program not only acknowledges the hardworking accomplishments but also inspires other students to strive for excellence and make a positive change throughout the school and community.

“I felt very motivated after being nominated for the event,” sophomore Kenneth Morales explains, “it was a really exciting thing because I had never been nominated before and didn’t really know what to expect. I would say one emotion I had going through before and after the event was feeling appreciated. A lot of times I work myself into the ground with school, my program extracurriculars, and I’m often drained but it felt really good to be seen and have the work I put in acknowledged and appreciated.”

The “Student of the Month” program not only uplifts students who have been working tirelessly to catch up on homework, among other things, but also inspires students to work harder and make a positive difference at Shadow Ridge.