Student of the Month Story

Who: Carissa Smith
What: Student of the Month Award
When: This month (October)
Where: Bowie High School
Why: She is a diligent student.
How: A committee of teachers chose.

The beginning of this month Carissa Smith was selected as the James Bowie High School Student of the Month.

Student of the Month is an award for standout students and a tradition at Bowie High School. Many students use it as a motivator to study and do their work, hoping to get the recognition only nine students each year get. 

"Whenever I was working on an assignment and I was tired I used SoM as a motivator," said Student of the Month, Carissa Smith. 

Carissa, despite being a freshman, has already impressed her teachers and peers in class. There are a huge amount of students at Bowie, and it takes a lot to be chosen as the Student of the Month.

“She always has her hand up, ready to participate, and her essays are truly remarkable. She has some great insights,” Bowie Pre-AP World Geography teacher, Karl Lauer, said. “Certainly. Just from the first week of her being in my class I could tell she would be an excellent candidate for Student of the Month.”

         It takes more than good grades to become Student of the Month. Involvement in extracurricular activities and clubs also goes into the decision, and Carissa isn’t lacking in that area either.

         “I dance and I’m in theatre and I’m gonna sign up for clubs,” Smith said. “As many as possible. I’ll sign up for a culinary arts club and a gardening club.

         Carissa was chosen by a group of teachers who discussed various students’ eligibility for the award. They look at their grades, participation, and involvement with the school’s community before choosing. Carissa thanks Mr. Lauer, her geography teacher, as someone she feels particularly grateful to.

         “I like Mr. Lauer because you can tell he cares about the students,” Smith said.

         The Student of the Month award is given to a very few number of students each year, and to receive it is a great honor. Not to mention it makes parents incredibly proud, as one would expect.

         “I was so proud. I know how many exceptional students are at Bowie, and I know how many are in the running for awards like this. And only nine a year. I knew she could do it, though,” Carissa’s mother, Loraine Smith, said. “Oh yes, she always told me who this month’s student was, and I could tell that she wanted that sort of academic recognition, even if she didn’t say it.