November 3, 2023
Lakeville Area Schools has a Students of the Month recognition program that highlights an elementary, middle school and high school student each month. Students are nominated by staff members. The superintendent meets each student to present them with a recognition award and a gift bag donated by the Lakeville Chamber of Commerce and Visit Lakeville.
November's Students of the Month are:
Olivia Marek, 2nd Grade, John F. Kennedy Elementary
Nominated by Maria Kampa, John F. Kennedy Elementary 2nd grade teacher
“I am nominating Liv for Student of the Month because of her honesty and integrity. During one of our phonics assessments, she got stuck on how to spell two of the words. After I graded her work, she did in fact get those two words wrong, but as I handed back her paper she said, "Mrs. Kampa, the girl next to me showed me the right way to spell these words but I didn't pay attention to her because I knew that would be wrong." Wow! Her parents should be so proud of raising a daughter who knows and values that doing her best is enough, and I am so lucky to have a role model like her in my classroom this year. Way to go, Liv!” said Maria Kampa.
Charlie Breza, 8th Grade, Kenwood Trail Middle School
Nominated by Kelly McDermott, Kenwood Trail Middle School Principal
“Charlie exemplifies what we want for our students at Kenwood. At KTMS, we teach and model positive behaviors around our foundational expectations: Responsibility, Integrity, Safety and Engagement (RISE). Charlie Breza is a role model for all students. He is always full of positive energy while demonstrating RISE. Anytime you see Charlie, he is enjoying school and smiling. Charlie has a heart of gold. He is the student who will do anything to help out. If there is a student sitting alone, Charlie will be the first to sit with that student. He is looked upon by the staff at Kenwood as a student who is not only a role model, but a great human being. There are some skills that just can't be taught; Charlie has those skills. He is a model of inclusivity and kindness. Charlie is always high-fiving staff and giving fist bumps. He is active in school and activities. Charlie is an 8th grade RISE leader, a football player, wrestler, choral singer, and honors student. He is an amazing student and person! The world would be a better place if there were more Charlie Brezas in it," said Principal Kelly McDermott.
Jay Rief, 12th Grade, Lakeville South High School
Nominated by Chad Bieniek, Lakeville South High School band teacher
“Jay excels in all areas of our music program, from our top auditioned wind ensemble, jazz ensemble and leading the marching band and pep band. Jay’s success can only be attributed to their work ethic. I remember working individually with Jay as a 9th grader as they would set up after-school lessons with me to get better. Jay would get so anxious to play by themself in front of me to the point of not being able to make a sound; fast forward 3 years and now they are leading the band musically and as a drum major in front of thousands of people. Jay is a perfect example of what determination and dedication can earn a person! Jay is the type of student we as educators and parents hope to guide, as they are kind to others, shows excitement for academic and personal growth, is humble and always wants to help those around them. Jay wants to leave our band program better than they found it and is doing that for all facets of our program, most importantly with the example they set. Students in the future will strive to lead like Jay and that is contagious. It’s amazing to think of the hundreds of students Jay has personally affected, but also those that will be affected in years to come by our future leaders that were inspired by Jay. Jay never expects a thank you, reward or extra recognition; Jay is the definition of a caring person, one that I hope their peers work to emulate. Jay has truly left their mark on the LSHS band program and those involved,” said Chad Bieniek.
See our previous Students of the Month at isd194.org/students-of-the-month.
Thank you to the following local businesses for their contributions to these gift bags: Lakeville Chamber of Commerce, Visit Lakeville, Dunn Brothers Coffee, Culver's, Raising Cane's, Whimzy, Dairy Delite, Lakeville Works, and the Lakeville Area Arts Center.