SOAR Awards Bring Joy to ECH Staff and Students by Michael P. Brennan, CEO

 

I recently attended Every Child’s Hope On Grounds School end of year awards ceremony called SOAR which stands for Student Outstanding Achievement Recognition. There are several different types of awards given out at the ceremony but the SOAR Award is the High Honor Award. 

A student receiving a SOAR award had to meet the following criteria:

•            95% or higher average for the entire quarter
•          No detention for the entire quarter
•          No need for stabilization time for the entire quarter
•          No in-school or out of school suspension for the entire quarter

This day 17 students received a SOAR Award. I am told it is the highest number of students ever in one quarter.

In these times of schools struggling to meet the needs of their students, this was an uplifting and gratifying experience for me. Attendees at the event included all of our students, many parents, school staff, other agency staff and even community leaders, including the Mayor of Vinita Park. 
 

What we witnessed were children, many of whom have only known severe challenges and failure in their short academic careers, beaming with pride as they received awards for their achievements in academics and citizenship. It was obvious that the students were hooked and engaged in learning and that the school staff was invested in the students.

It was obvious that the ECH School has an atmosphere and culture of support and encouragement, which these children desperately need to find their way to success.
 

Mr. James McGee, the Mayor of Vinita Park, gave an inspirational speech that encouraged students to continue to strive to be the very best they can be.  Mayor McGee stressed the absolute vital importance of getting a good education. He even gave cash awards to the two top performing students in the school during the last quarter. His presence was a great reminder that these children are important to our community and need to be valued.

 

In today's world, working with children who have dealt with things at such a young age that most adults will never deal with, I was very moved by the SOAR Awards. When people get discouraged with reports on the news and with the bad things happening all around them, remember these 17 students at ECH who overcame tremendous barriers to achieve so much in such a short time.