Congratulations to Celia C. ’27 on receiving the first Middle School Character in Action Award of the academic year. Faculty are asked to submit nominees for the awards, which are presented during Forum each week. “Forum happens every Day 4,” explained Director of Student Life Jared Winston, “and is a dedicated community moment that aims to ground and re-align our Middle School students to create cohesion within the division.”

Winston explained, “Character in Action certificates are awarded to a student each week who exemplifies integrity, demonstrates honesty, and treats others with dignity and respect. All recipients have been nominated by peers or teachers for moments within the school day where they acted in a way that inspires us to live up to our highest aspirations as a community.”

“I nominated a student who I noticed was particularly helpful to a peer with a broken arm,” history teacher Annie Pulsipher explained. “He was going out of his way to help this peer carry books, open doors, and even tie their shoe. This student was very excited to be nominated and thanked me afterward for shouting them out. Their class was also very supportive and excited for them when they received the award in Forum. I think it’s helped this student feel more welcome in the class, especially since this is their first year at Poly.”

Additional winners of the Character in Action Award were announced on Monday, September 12 during Forum. Congratulations to Hank China ’28, Hart Hicks ’28, and Maisie Schneider ’28.

“Character in Action certificates are awarded to a student each week who exemplifies integrity, demonstrates honesty, and treats others with dignity and respect.”

Director of Student Life Jared Winston

Students from each Middle School grade also received the Character in Action Award on September 21: Justin W-O. ’27, Savannah P. ’28, Hudson W. ’29, and Liam R-J. ’30.

Afterward, Justin W-O. ’27 said, “ I think I was awarded this honor because of my kindness toward one of my classmates, who I met on the first day of school on the bus. We’re pretty good friends now and I’m glad I reached out to him. To me, what it means to have good character is to always try and be your best self, to yourself and other people.”

Savannah P. ’28 said that she is aware she could do better “cleaning up after myself,” especially at home, so she is thoughtful about making sure that she does not give others more work by having to clean up after her in Commons. Her actions did not go unnoticed. “Honestly, though, I was slightly surprised by the award,” she said. “While I’m glad my actions on that day could potentially encourage others to do the same, I don’t wish for them to think that cleaning a few plates requires an immediate reward.” She added, “My family places much importance on character and work ethic. Although I can struggle with both, I attempt to hold my character up to a higher standard. Character is one of the fundamental building blocks of a person, and devolving it into something that can help you succeed is extremely important. I’m still growing, and I’m making more decisions for myself. Although I attempt to have character in every decision, I hope that my character will become stronger over time.”

“To me good character means you offer a helping hand when you see someone could use it.”

Liam R-J. ’30

“Middle School is difficult for everyone in very different ways,” Parks said, “but as long as we try our best to act with character, we can make it a little easier for everyone.” Liam R-J. ’30 says he thinks he was honored for helping a friend when she was having a bad time. “To me good character means you offer a helping hand when you see someone could use it,” he said.

Austin N-S. ’27, Kiana F. ’28, and Bailey H. ’29 were the recipients of the award on October 4.

Bailey H. ’29 thinks her “kind and friendly actions” earned her the award.  “Recently, at lunch,” Bailey said, “I saw this person sitting by himself sometimes and came over to talk and eat lunch with him.  I have enjoyed it a lot lately.” She added,  “If you have good character, it means that you are a kind person, and have a friendly manner.  It also means that you incorporate people in the day’s activities and respect others.”