PINEDALE – The Sublette County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees recognized eight Students of the Month for September and October together at its Nov. 11 meeting. In order to give each student equal coverage, the September Students of the Month will run in this week’s edition and the October Students of the Month will be published in next week’s Roundup.

Pinedale Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Sherrill Hudson nominated Tracer Hengen as September Student of the Month for September. Hudson described Hengen as “curious, engaged, dedicated to his learning and a leader in the classroom.”

Hengen immerses himself in all subject areas taught at PES, Hudson added.

“In math, he thinks through the content and wants to understand the why behind the math,” Hudson wrote to the board. “Social studies, language arts and writing are always a joy for Tracer. He absorbs knowledge and makes connections as well as offering unique perspectives on all topics.”

Hengen demonstrates a “growth mindset” and is unafraid of taking on challenges, Hudson stated.

“I appreciate the discussions we have about what he is struggling with, along with his successes when he overcomes an obstacle,” Hudson explained. “He is a role model for other students in this area.”

In the classroom, Hengen exemplifies respect and compassion, Hudson wrote.

“Because of Tracer’s exceedingly positive attitude toward learning, he is well respected,” Hudson said. “He is inclusive and patient with all learners and he learns from everyone. He helps create a learning environment that is safe for everyone.”

Pinedale Middle School STEM teacher Anthony Rigo honored seventh-grader Anah Heyboer as a September Student of the Month. Heyboer is a model of responsibility and recently stepped up to help a fellow student in need, Rigo told the board.

“Anah displayed impeccable compassion and exemplified responsibility above and beyond what is expected of a seventh-grader by listening to a peer who needed someone to talk to,” Rigo added. “Anah listened intently and then reported the conversation to me after everyone had left the room to maintain that student’s confidentiality.”

Heyboer’s responsibility is on display every day and that character contributes to her academic excellence, Rigo stated.

“Anah ensures timely class completion on all assignments, seeks clarification when needed and assists her peers on a regular basis,” Rigo added. “I commend Anah for her outstanding sense of responsibility and the highly successful academic and social behaviors that are borne from it. Anah is truly an asset to the Pinedale Middle School community and an excellent example for others to follow.”

Christine Zakotnik, a math teacher at Pinedale High School, nominated senior Tim Hosler as Student of the Month for September. Zakotnik highlighted Hosler’s responsibility during the first two months of the school year.

“Tim has taken responsibility for helping teach the band classes, both high school and middle school, and leading the pep band during Mr. Smith’s absence,” Zakotnik wrote to the board.

PHS Principal Brian Brisko told the board Hosler stepped beyond his responsibilities as a seventh- and eight-grade peer mentor to take on the sixth grade and assist with high school band classes.

“Between Tim and a couple other students here at PHS, we had a pep band and were able to perform music in the marching band in the parade,” Brisko said. “Tim has made a great effort in the first five weeks of school to help make sure the band program continues to learn and grow.”

Brisko emphasized Hosler’s willingness to perform for the Big Piney musical production of “Oklahoma!” as a pit musician and his nomination to the All National Honor Band (see feature story).

“I felt like I needed to do my due diligence and recognize Tim because of the way he has been responsible in serving our school and helping us through difficult times,” Brisko told the board.

Skyline teacher Jono Majhanovich recognized senior Duke Carson as September Student of the Month. Carson stood out for demonstrating respect to staff and students “every single day,” Majhanovich wrote to the board.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have Duke in my advisory classroom as well as in English 12,” Majhanovich said. “Despite the long hair, the backwards hat and seemingly carefree attitude, Duke is a serious student. He shows up on time, completes his assignments and he never, ever complains about the rules around him or the work in front of him.”

Carson embodies respect inside and outside the classroom, Majhanovich added.

“Duke is a respectful individual wherever he happens to be,” Majhanovich wrote. “It is a joy to see that he gets recognized for having such solid and consistent character.”