Taylor Mennenga named PBL High School’s Student of the Month
Taylor Mennenga of Paxton has been named student of the month for November at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School.
Taylor, a senior at PBL, is the daughter of Les and Amy Mennenga. She was nominated for the award by her band teacher, Tim Hess.
Mr. Hess stated in his nomination, “It is my pleasure to recommend Ms. Taylor Mennenga for the honor of PBL High School Student of the Month. Ms. Mennenga is currently a senior at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School and maintains an exemplary academic and attendance record. Her most recent notable achievement has been the selection as an All District Clarinetist by the Illinois Music Educators Association. Ms. Mennenga was in competition with hundreds of clarinet players throughout the central Illinois region. Even more remarkable is the fact that she has been chosen for this honor each of her four years in high school.”
As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I believe I have a qualified perspective from which to judge a young woman’s character. I tell people that I do not teach marching and music techniques, I teach students how to be good adults and citizens. Ms. Mennenga ranks as one of the best students I have ever taught.
In the case of Ms. Mennenga, I have witnessed her to be quite unusual in this modern society we live in. Ms. Mennenga has assumed an additional task as a peer tutor and student conductor for the woodwinds in the Clara Peterson band. Her leadership and positive influence on her young students is to be envied. She has engaged the students with quality instruction, and models superior attitude and performance practices.
While the Marines like to say that they can train leaders, there are always those in the Corps that are blessed with a natural talent for it. Ms. Mennenga is a natural leader whose leadership skills deserve to be honored by selection as Student of the Month.”
The student of the month award is sponsored by the Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois. The award recognizes PBL High School students who demonstrate the school district’s mission of “Excellence through rigor, relevance, and relationships.” Teachers nominate students and the winner receives $50 and the other nominees receive a $5 Just Hamburgers gift certificate. The other students that were nominated for November Student of the Month are Kailyn Maynard, Tyler Reynolds, and Joey Hoopingarner. Congratulations Kailyn, Tyler, Joey, and Taylor!