PBL Junior High School hosted their 8th Grade Recognition event on Thursday, May 22nd at 9:00am in the PBL Junior High School Gymnasium. At the 8th Grade Recognition event all 8th grade students were recognized and given a certificate of achievement and recognition. Although not a graduation ceremony we did take the time to recognize each and every 8th grade student. The event also had student awards for a variety of different categories. After we completed the 8th Grade Recognition event we held a small reception for 8th grade students, families, and staff in the Commons Area at the junior high. It was a great day to recognize our students for all their junior high achievements over the past three years in front of their families and loved ones.
The following is list of the different students that participated in specific parts of the recognition event & award winners from the PBL Junior High School 8th Grade Recognition:
Pledge of Allegiance: (left to right) Evan Hudson, Ainsley Niewold, Savannah Miller, Mackenzie Vargas, Brendan Blangin, & Taylor Edwards Pledge of Allegiance
Student Speakers: Manny Gonzalez (Student Address), Pyper Siddall (Student Address), & Zachary Grohler (Welcome Address) Student Speakers
6th Grade Chorus: Mrs. Howard & the 6th Grade Chorus sang Shine Like Stars by Pinkzebra 6th Grade Chorus
Student Council Awards: Zachary Grohler (President), Tessa Wurmnest (VIce President), Liliana Manrriquez (Secretary), Carson Langley (Treasurer), Kenzie Vargas (Spirit Leader), & Manny Gonzalez (Committee Chair)
Zachary Grohler - Student Council Award
Tessa Wurmnest - Student Council Award
Liliana Manrriquez - Student Council Award
Carson Langley - Student Council Award
Kenzie Vargas - Student Council Award
Manny Gonzalez - Student Council Award
Content Awards - Students of the Year in each Subject: This year for our 8th Grade Recognition and Awards we added content awards to recognize students of the year in each subject. Teachers from each content area came forward to announce our students of the year in each subject.
Math (Mrs. Harrison): Bryson Teske
English-Language Arts (Miss Soto & Mrs. Harrison: Isabella Eaglen
Science (Ms. Manley): Savannah Miller
Social Studies (Mr. Callahan): Landon Loschen
Physical Education (Mr. Gooden): Caden Duley
Band (Mrs. Breen): Carson Langley
Chorus (Mrs. Howard): Zaccheous Smith
Perfect Attendance: The following student had perfect attendance for the entire 2024-2025 school year - Colton Skinner.
Natalie "Buzz" Johnson Friendship Award: The Natalie "Buzz" Johnson Friendship Award is given each year in remembrance of Natalie Johnson to an 8th grade student that best exemplifies the qualities and attitude that Natalie embodied while a student at PBL. These include enthusiasm, kindness, helpfulness, caring, and friendship toward fellow students. Zachary Grohler is this year's recipient of the Natalie "Buzz" Johnson Friendship Award. Natalie "Buzz" Johnson Friendship Award (The picture shows Zachary Grohler, the award winner, with the family of Natalie Johnson: her sister Mallory Johnson, father Michael Johnson, and mother Stephanie Johnson.)
Illinois Principal Association Award: The Illinois Principal Association Award is given to two 8th grade students that have displayed accomplishment in service to the community, self-improvement, contribution to the school, and dedication to the school, staff, or fellow classmates. (left to right) Zachary Grohler & Pyper Siddall are this year's recipients for the Illinois Principal Association Award. Illinois Principal Association Award
American Legion Awards: The American Legion Award is based on courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship, and service. The awards were provided by the American Legion Loda Post #503. Pyper Siddall won the American Legion School Award, Isabella Eaglen won the American Legion Honorable Mention, Zachary Grohler won the American Legion School Award, and Manny Gonzalez won the American Legion Honorable Mention Award.
Pyper Siddall - American Legion School Award
Isabella Eaglen - American Legion Honorable Mention Award
Zachary Grohler - American Legion School Award
Manny Gonzalez - American Legion Honorable Mention Award
President's Education Award - Gold: The President's Education Award (Gold) is for students that finished with a 3.5-4.0 grade point average. First Row (left to right) Caden Duley, Jesse Compton, Caleb Clark, Nolan Bunag, Emiliah Brigham, Lillian Bormet, & Julio Barradas.. Second Row (left to right) Landon Loschen, Carson Langley, Brooks Hazelwood, Weston Gustafson, Zachary Grohler, Kyla Grohler, Manny Gonzalez, & Isabella Eaglen. Third Row (left to right) Addison Morano, Xavier Nohmer, Ainsley Niewold, Skye Mills, Rylee Masco, Liliana Manrriquez, Hayden Maberry, & Lucas Loschen. Fourth Row (left to right) Tessa Wurmnest, Bryson Teske, Oliver Swenson, Logan Sturm, Mason Sturm, Brooklyn Stafford, Pyper Siddall, & Evangeline Scorza. Students not in the photo are Kendra Goff, Reese Sadlek, and Giselle Tufino. President's Education Award - Gold
President's Education Award - Silver: The President's Education Award (Silver) is for students that finished with a 3.0-3.49 grade point average. First Row (left to right) Keegan Swank, Pryor Inman, Evan Hudson, Kempton DeOrnellas, Kandyce Curtis, Mackenzie Conder, Julia Colon, Justice Bowen, & Landon Bishop. Second Row (left to right) Macy Randa, Kane Ramos-Levia, Eli Nava, Savannah Miller, Wyatt Lee, Riley Landrus, Hanna Kolton, & Janessa White. Third Row (left to right) Benjamin Webb, Gavin Viner, Mackenzie Vargas, Aiden Thorne, Harper Swinford, Max Stachowski, Zaccheous Smith, Coton Skinner, Hunter Shedd, & Aaliyah Wintjen. Student not in the photo is Harrison Larson. President's Education Award - Silver
Link to Additional Pictures from 8th Grade Recognition