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At the first annual GAPS Student All-Stars Celebration, the School Board honored outstanding students from each school. Students were nominated by school staff and introduced by the school principal.

The All-Star Students from South Albany High School are:

Carina Torres-Aranda

Carina is quietly involved in a significant number of service projects and organizations on our campus and in the community. She spends countless hours before school, after school, and on weekends working hard to help others and to help students make connections in our school. She is involved with Key Club, MeCha, Leadership, and many other clubs and organizations in our school. Carina is quiet and very often working behind the scenes to promote our school and other students. She exemplifies the concept of a servant leader.

Ashlee Nunez

Ashlee is the perfect example of what we hope to see in our young people as citizens. She has incredible personal character and exemplifies how we should all treat each other. She is humble and kind. She gives to others without thought. She shares her talents and gifts, and helps others feel good about themselves. She has given back to our school in a ton of ways, and isn’t showy about any of them.

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, celebrated in districts around the country as a chance to recognize the hard work and dedication of educators.

Please help us thank our amazing teaching staff for all they do for students.

At the first annual GAPS Student All-Stars Celebration, the School Board honored outstanding students from each school. Students were nominated by school staff and introduced by the school principal.

The All-Star Students from Waverly were unable to attend. Principal Anne Griffith read their nominations.

Waverly Elementary School All-Stars are: 

Adelaide Riley

Adelaide is an enthusiastic learner who loves a good challenge. She has been working on The 4 Fours Challenge, (which stumps a lot of adults) and is making a stop-motion animation movie about the different meanings of subtraction. Adelaide is a strong, confident student who understands how to be a leader as well as a team player. We need more people like Adelaide in our world and I am so grateful that she is a part of our community of learners.

Caelan Riley

Caelan is a leader for positive behavior. He always tries his best and treats all students with respect. All of his classmates want to be his partner and friend!

At the first annual GAPS Student All-Stars Celebration, the School Board honored outstanding students from each school. Students were nominated by school staff and introduced by the school principal.

North Albany Elementary School All-Stars are: 

Sadie Tatum

Sadie is an all-star student in her classroom and her school. In the classroom, Sadie excels in academics and citizenship. Her leadership, focus, and communication skills lead to success for her and her classmates as they learn together. Sadie uses these same qualities to impact our school. As a member of our student leadership team she has been a morning greeter, made morning announcements, and helped run our Pennies for Patients fundraiser. She has also given up her free time to work with younger students, helping them improve their reading skills.

Ian Bell

Ian is a charismatic, friendly, dependable student. His natural ability to lead and his confidence with his peers makes him a quality role model in the classroom. One of Ian’s best assets is his sense of humor. He uses it in the classroom to bring joy and energy to learning. When a peer is in need of academic support or a friendship, he is the first one to volunteer. In class and at recess, he is the one we can count on to include anyone and everyone. Ian is the perfect example of a student who is respectful, responsible, safe, and inclusive.

At the first annual GAPS Student All-Stars Celebration, the School Board honored outstanding students from each school. Students were nominated by school staff and introduced by the school principal.

Fir Grove and Oak Grove Elementary School All-Stars are: 

Payton Bates, Oak Grove

Payton participates actively in numerous community organizations. For the past five years she has volunteered at Hand-In-Hand Farm where she takes care of the equine animals, helping to train both them and the younger human participants, plus helps with their service outreach events. Payton is an active Girl Scout, a member of Oak Grove’s champion Battle of the Books team, a role model to many of our students and is also a Green Belt in Kenpo Karate. She also participates in our school choir, plays trumpet in the fifth-grade band, and she is an exemplary student who participates with intriguing out-of-the-box ideas.

Owen Duda, Oak Grove

Owen is always eager to help with any task, cheerfully pitching in whenever needed. He spends hours volunteering with his church, as an acolyte and assistant at events, and sings in their choir. He has volunteered at WAHS, with Salem’s food drive and the local FISH organization in numerous capacities. Owen consistently goes out of his way to make everyone’s days easier as a great role model to the other students, and he always has a smile on his face!

Ella Killian, Fir Grove

She’s kind, caring and compassionate towards others. She helps the classroom run smoother by setting out supplies and materials ahead of time and directs other students who need additional help. She is a proactive problem solver when it comes to managing friendships within the classroom and out on the playground. She is active in her community with her family through her church and helping families in need.

Caleb Fifhause, Fir Grove

He is a wonderful classroom citizen and always chooses to do the right thing. He is a really kind boy and a hard worker. He is helpful to others in school and out of school. Caleb always has a smile on his face and spreads his positive attitude throughout the school.