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Read on for what Patrick O'Kane, East Principal and Karen Gauthier, Assistant Principal said to the recipients of the School Spirit and William Sturgis Awards.
School Spirit Awards
School Spirit Awards
The School Spirit Award is given to two students who, in the opinion of classmates and faculty, contribute to fostering school spirit through their enthusiasm, positive attitude and concern for others both within and beyond the classroom. The Sturgis Parents Association has donated a $500 scholarship to each School Spirit Award recipient.
Macklin Devine
Macklin Devine
Presented by Mrs. Gauthier
Our first School Spirit Award winner is Macklin Devine. Macklin, please join me on stage.
I have to smile as I call Macklin’s name because one of the first things a staff member said is that his smile is contagious , makes every room brighter and his infectious laughter can be heard throughout the halls . Throughout his four years at Sturgis East, Macklin has embodied a positive school spirit as he is someone who will always put forth his best foot just to make someone smile and he is a consistent role model for all the students of Sturgis. Ironically, his English teacher reminded me that this was never more evident than during COVID . She said “ I will always remember Macklin during the spring of 2020 when all classes were being taught remotely and many students were struggling to adjust and might blankly stare into the camera or not show their face at all. But not Macklin. He showed up each and every day enthusiastic and willing to participate. His smile was one of the things that got me, and many of his classmates through those first few months of online teaching.” Macklin commits 100 percent to all he is involved in here at Sturgis whether it be on stage, at the microphone, behind the Bass, in his various creative spirit week costumes or through his natural leadership amongst his peers. One veteran staff member shared that Macklin is easily one of the most upbeat and humorous students she had the privilege to teach and has an envious ability to see and celebrate the good in everyone, even when people sometimes doubt themselves. Personally I will miss Macklin dancing into the building on “feel good Fridays” . I am not sure how he does but no matter what the songs are on my playlist, he always seems to know all the words!
Alison Ladd
Alison Ladd
Presented by Dr. O'Kane
Our next school spirit award goes to Alison Ladd. Sturgis Staff had the following to say about Alison:
Alison is one of the most cheerful and kindest students I’ve ever seen here at Sturgis. It is all the more notable she kept this up as COVID was starting in 2020.
Alison's spirit is infectious and her ability to rouse her classmates around even the most mundane task in class is unmatched. She illuminates the halls of Sturgis and if you're lucky enough to chat with her on a given day, you will be happier because of it.
Alison is an incredibly organized and responsible student. Much of her academic drive comes from her own desire to push herself to do the best that she can. An independent and responsible student, Alison is able to succeed with little oversight from others.
She created Sturgis’ pottery club while she was a junior. Her goal when creating this club was to provide her peers with an opportunity to participate in an activity while we were all remote last year.
An active participant in the Student Council at Sturgis, she was a sophomore representative, a junior representative, and is now President. Alison takes her role on Student Council seriously and does a great job working with her peers, the Sturgis Parent’s Association, and Sturgis Leadership on school wide initiatives that make an impact on the student experience..
Alison is an active member of the French club–recently expanded to include German–and is no stranger to international mindedness.
I will miss her and her dad jokes.
Dear Alison: It is very rare to get to meet someone who will never say anything out of anger, be mean, mock, or feel superior. Your presence, positivity, unfailing smile is such a treat, every day. You are one of the nicest people I ever met.
Enough said. Please join me in congratulating Alison!
William Sturgis Awards
William Sturgis Awards
The William Sturgis Award is given to two 12th grade students who, in the opinion of classmates and faculty, embody the positive attitude and exemplary conduct represented by the Sturgis Code of Conduct and Rules to Live By.
It is considered the most prestigious Sturgis award. Like the School Spirit Award, the Sturgis Parents Association has generously donated a $500 scholarship to each award winner.
Mae Alice Baird
Mae Alice Baird
Presented by Dr.O'Kane
Our first William Sturgis Award winner is Mae Alice Baird. Sturgis faculty and staff had this to say about Mae Alice:
Mae Alice is an extremely compassionate, curious, and deep thinker. She considers all angles before she interjects into discussions. Mae Alice elevates classroom analysis, treats everyone she interacts with kindness and respect, and is always quick to offer others a smile.
Mae Alice is also a creative artist and uses her art to celebrate a diversity of thought and perspective.
Mae Alice really enjoys her foreign language, English, and history classes. She likes learning about other people through their culture and history. She once shared, “language is more than just words - it’s the key that opens every door and allows connections between people, past and present.
Mae Alice is an enrolled and highly active member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Her heritage plays a major part of who she is and how she views her role in life. Her connection and involvement in the tribe has allowed her to build strong connections with her ancestors, and understand how she is just one part of a larger network that she is very devoted to.
She works hard to see the best in everyone while continuously maintaining a calm and collected demeanor. She is always seen in the hallway with a smile on her face, saying hi to everyone she passes, genuinely caring about everyone she comes in contact with.
Outside of school, Mae Alice has been practicing archery since she was 9 years old. Not only does she enjoy improving her skills, she enjoys the bond that she has been able to build with her dad by having a shared activity together.
Mae Alice values personal reflection and growth, as evidenced in her CAS portfolio and reflections.
Mae Alice:she lives by William Sturgis spirit every day, through her kindness, her inquisitive nature, and most of all her ability to be true to herself and those around her!
Please join me in congratulating Mae Alice Baird!
Peter Cotoia
Peter Cotoia
Presented by Mrs.Gauthier
Our second William Sturgis Award winner is Peter Cotoia
Kind, genuine and respectful were repeated again and again (and again) when staff were asked to describe Peter Cotoia. Examples of this include he is always the first to volunteer to help when he is able to in a situation and is the last to leave the classroom each day, making sure the chairs are pushed in and the materials are put away. Another, along the lines of our nautical history and William Sturgis himself ,he is a true leader in and out of the classroom with his keen ability to know when to take the lead and step it up to be a "ships captain" while also recognizing when he should take a step back and be a member of the crew. Speaking of crew …his sailing coach often recruits Peter to help junior sailors on his team because of his ability to encourage and support them in a non-threatening way. Several people , staff and students alike, speak of his ability to help a friend or classmate in need with genuine engagement and without hesitation. He has continuously demonstrated everything we want our Sturgis students to be . Perhaps this is best described by one teacher who told me Peter is not just an exemplary student, he is an exemplary person. This perception is clearly shared by so many staff as others commented that he makes it a point to work towards excellence academically without arrogance and that he is eager and willing to put the work in that is necessary. Peter is one of the rare individuals who combines intelligence with hard work , humility , social awareness and a great sense of humor. and is truly deserving of this award.
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