Gina and I are proud of all of our St. Valentine children. They all clearly demonstrate the values nurtured in our homes and in our St. Val's community. As parents and life teachers we pray that they embrace these characteristics as they venture beyond our home, school and parish walls. In an effort to further reinforce and reward his efforts and good behavior, we would like to nominate our son, second grader, Beck Kozak for March’s So Very Special Student of the Month. Beck consistently strives to be more like Christ and as a young man acts with a true sense of putting others first. Since he was too young to serve the Lenten fish fry he insisted on attending weekly set-up to assist in the preparation. Beck helped out in several areas from mixing cole-slaw with his grandfather to putting lemons in containers with Mrs. Martin, to taping cardboard to the floors in the kitchen with his Dad as well as students' aquatic art work to the walls in Frawley Hall with Mrs. Rodaitis. In addition, this was Beck’s first year of participating in cub scouts. He earned his bobcat and is working toward his wolf badge while learning to incorporate the Cub Scout promise into his outlook on life. As way to enhance his preparation for the sacraments, Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, Beck chose to work toward completion of "The Light of Christ" award, which is one of five Cub Scout awards specifically recognized by the Catholic Diocese. In this effort Beck has read and associated several Bible passages to his life experiences and worked on activities allowing him to further develop his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Beck hopes to complete the remainder of the activities necessary to achieve the award by his May pack meeting. Finally, Beck enjoys competing in various athletics. He participated in YMCA basketball in preparation to play with the big 3-4 graders next year. Earlier this school year Beck lead his Bethel Park Junior Football team with 6 touchdowns, 3 rushing and 3 receiving, and more importantly displayed leadership among the first year 6 year old players to help them build confidence throughout the season. In addition to his achievements in our community, Beck exemplifies leadership, team work and determination in our home. He goes above and beyond in caring for each member of our family as well as in his daily routine and chores. We are so very proud of the young man our son is striving to become.
 
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When our eighth graders go on to their respective high schools, we want them all to be model citizens and to be ambassadors for our St. Valentine School. Many times we hear from high school teachers that based upon a student’s academic, leadership, character, and community involvement, they know without asking that the student came from St Valentine School.
That being said, I would like to nominate Emily Nedzesky for this month’s student of the month award. She demonstrates all of the qualities that reflect so positively on not only our school but her parents as well.
As we draw closer to the end of the school year, it becomes harder for our students to stay focused and appreciate the opportunities that are given to them here at St. Valentine School. Emily, however, continues to value every learning opportunity and strives for excellence both in her academics and in her interactions with peers, teachers, and others. She is attentive in class. She is always respectful of others.
Our students compete at the English Festival at Duquesne University and are given required reading. This year the students had to read six books. As in the past, some of the books are quite difficult for middle school level students. So as to help the students to be successful at the English Festival, we are using the 8th grades weekly library class as time to prepare for the Festival. This was planned so as to give the students additional in school time to ease their workload.
Last week, Emily was one of the very few students who had come prepared to work in library class. What impressed me most is that since she had already finished most of the assignment, she offered her book to the other students so that they would be able to get the most out of their library class period while she completed the remaining essay. Emily’s willingness to share her book or to help out another student is not just something she has done this month, but does every day.

Other examples are her offering to help the designated 5th grade representative with the clean up after Student Council meetings and the times she has asked if we needed help with anything in the library. She is always thoughtful, courteous, and respectful. This type of service to others, the kind that one does without thinking or being scheduled to do, is so genuine and often overlooked.
On another note, throughout the year many students miss library class as it is the same day as band lessons. Emily is the only student who as come and asked about what she has missed so that she can make up any of the work. This Wednesday, I observed Emily asking Mrs. Cluskey for the Math work she would be missing that day as band lessons are alternated so that a student does not miss the same class each week. This planning ahead serves Emily well today and will be invaluable to her in the future.
In Summary, Emily’s exemplary character qualifies her to receive this award.