Previously, I covered some teachers that go above and beyond for their students, but I also wanted to cover some of the outstanding students we have in our school. Garden Plain is home to a number of great students who are excellent both academically and as human beings. They have the values it takes to be successful in everything they do, from the classroom to extracurricular activities, and their lives outside of school. Students are just as important as teachers, as leading by example can show others how to be successful.
The first student I want to cover is Jaren McFadden, a freshman at Garden Plain. Jaren is an extremely smart student and is highly praised by his teachers. Owls assistant football coach, Mr. Brack said, “Aside from being a good kid, one thing I constantly see is him being willing to lend a helping hand. No job is too big or too small for him, and he always wants to help others. Even though he is a quiet person, when you get to know him you realize what a great personality he has.”
Jaren participated in football in the fall, is currently playing basketball for the Owls, and plans to play golf for the Andale-Renwick combined team. He competes in all of the sports while succeeding in the classroom, carrying a 4.0 GPA and taking advanced classes, which will help set him up for his future. He is also a member of Kay Club here at Garden Plain.
Another student that deserves praise is Aubrey Mease. Aubrey, a senior, participates in a number of extracurricular activities, while holding a 4.0 GPA. She participates in dance and is a team captain, and was even in the Frozen play this winter. She is also the Class President for her grade, the Art Society Vice-President, a four year KAY Club member, and is also a two year National Honor Society (NHS) member. Outside of her accolades and extracurricular activities, art teacher Mr. Dockens said, “Aubrey is a kind and caring person who is always willing to help out, but one thing that makes her such a great student in my class is her ability to adapt and take criticism. In art, she is able to let her personality be expressed while at the same time being able to try new techniques that help make her artwork so special.”
Sophomore Hailey Brack is also a standout student, participating in volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter, and track in the spring. During basketball this year, Hailey unfortunately tore her ACL and parts of her meniscus, and will sadly have to miss her track season after competing in state last year, placing 7th in shot put as a freshman. She is also a member of SADD, the communication officer for KAY, the secretary for STUCO, and her class secretary.
Hailey has many great qualities that make up a leader, including kindness and leading by example. Her volleyball coach who has also had Hailey in several classes, Ms. Clark said, “The things I appreciate most about Hailey as a student-athlete is how she strives for excellence in the classroom and on the court. She is easy to coach because she is an excellent listener, pays attention to detail, and does exactly what is asked of her to the best of her ability. All of those characteristics serve her well in the classroom as well. Her recent ACL injury will be a challenge for her, but just watch how resilient she is and how hard she works to recover, and I promise you will be impressed.” Athletically, Hailey is one of the hardest working girls in the weight room, but what makes her such a great person goes far beyond athletics.
Arthur Boyle, a junior at Garden Plain, is the definition of an exemplary student. He lifts people up with his humor and is kind and caring to all. Arthur ran cross country in the fall, and is currently preparing for another state run in track and field this spring. He is also the drama club vice-president, the forensics president, and a board member of the Kansas Thespian Society.
Mrs. Schmidt, the Personal Finance teacher at Garden Plain, said, “Arthur is like a chameleon, for lack of a better term. He can adapt to any situation.” She also said, “He has great communication skills, and knows when to speak and when to listen. He cares for and supports others, both in the classroom and with his extracurricular activities, and displays many characteristics that are crucial to success and being a good person. In my class, he is a leader and is outgoing and tries his best to include everyone. He understands when people are struggling, and knows what he can do to help make their day better.”
Garden Plain High School is full of so many great students, not just in the classroom but as people as well. They possess big hearts and care for all, and make each person they encounter feel valued and important. Their work ethic and effort match their ability to care for others. They all have the values needed to be a good person such as honesty, integrity, understanding, communication, and above all kindness. After all, a school is only as good as the people in it, and Garden Plain has some of the best students around.
