April - Anna Layng

Anna Layng of Paxton has been named student of the month for April at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School.  Anna Is the daughter of Mark and Cathy Layng.  She was nominated for the award by her math teacher, Sheila Pickens. 

Mrs. Pickens said in her nomination, “Anna challenges herself by taking some of the most rigorous classes at PBL including AP Calculus, Senor Inquiry, and Physics.  She tries for excellence in her grades and also in her understanding.  During class, Anna works well and asks good questions.  She is willing to explain problems to others who are having difficulty, yet humble enough to ask for help when she needs it.”

Mrs. Pickens also stated, “Anna is a leader and an active participant in several extracurricular interests including Bridge Team, track and field, National Honor Society, and FFA.  All of Anna’s activities require teamwork, compromise, and flexibility.  These are soft skills that Anna has mastered.  Anna is interested in pursuing a career in engineering, so she has taken classes to support her future career goals such as Ag Mech/Tech and Ag Construction.  In Bridge Team, she and her teammate placed 3rd in presentation at the annual Bridge Bust at Purdue.  At the Engineering Open House at UI, her team took 1st place as the most innovative tower and the tower that held the most weight at 3 pounds.”

Mrs. Pickens added, “Anna is always full of contagious joy!  She is kind to all she meets and never without a smile.  She gets along with others and builds friendships and work relationships easily.  She supports her friends and teammates.  That can be seen as she supports her classmates and former teammates at girls’ cross country meets and girls’ basketball games.  She even made signs to show her support for the girls’ teams.  Anna is thoughtful, kind, and compassionate.  She models our PBL vision statement of Excellence through Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships.”

Anna has participated in FFA, track, bridge team, and NHS. She has placed 3rd at State for Ag Mechanics in Surveying, 3rd for bridge team junior and senior years, and Illinois FFA Agriscience Fair National candidate.  Outside of school, Anna has volunteered at the Hands of Christ food pantry.  Anna plans on attending a 4-year university to earn a degree in mechatronics engineering.

The student of the month award is sponsored by the Bank of Pontiac.  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 gift certificate from Just Hamburgers.  The other students nominated for April Student of the Month were Kinzie Bennett, Tessa Boehme, Tyler Cole, and Jackson Hughes.  Congratulations to all the nominees and our winner, Anna Layng!