The St Valentine School PTG is proud to announce that Geoffrey   Weiss is the SVS Student of the Month for December, 2008.  Congratulations to Geoffrey and his family.  A  $25 Giant Eagle gift certificate has been presented to the 8th Grade in Geoffrey's name.

Other students nominated were:

• Caitlin Zeher, 6th Grade

Here are excerpt's from Geoffrey's nominations:

I would like to nominate eighth grader Geoffrey Weiss for the So Very Special Student of the Month Award for December. Geoffrey deserves this award because of his academic performance, his service to school and parish, and his attempts to apply the gospel message in the school setting. Academically, Geoffrey has always performed well, but recently he has been applying himself more than usual, and his work shows the improved effort. He makes a point of asking questions until he is sure he understands an assignment, and has been consistent in meeting and often in exceeding the requirements of projects. For a recent English assignment, he wrote the next chapter of the novel he had read, matching the writing style, vocabulary, and mood of his selection with an impressive level of maturity and insight. He is also one of the few students in the eighth grade geometry class who has opted to complete the additional challenge problems and enrichment activities provided. From a service standpoint, Geoffrey has been an asset to both the parish and the school. The entire eighth grade class recently assisted at the parish craft fair, and one of the vendors made a point of passing along a compliment for the courteous assistance that he received from Geoffrey. I have also personally observed Geoffrey acting as a role model for younger students in the school. During a recent Advent prayer service, the students were singing and signing a song that they had all learned, but not mastered, in music class. Geoffrey asked some of his classmates to step back so that the younger students could see him and follow his movements. His actions encouraged these students to join in the signing themselves. In addition, he has been an integral part of a multiple reading group for the forensics team. He provides coaching assistance and encouragement to the fifth and sixth grade members of the team, and has helped the group to earn three first place ribbons in recent tournaments. My final reason for nominating Geoffrey relates to a bit of spiritual wisdom he passed on to me. A few weeks ago, at the end of a long and particularly trying day, I was feeling a bit down, and Geoffrey noticed my low mood. He came over to me and quoted the scripture passage he remembered Father Al discussing at mass the previous day…"Do not let your hearts be troubled." Then he reminded me that God was in charge and would take care of the things that I was worrying about. Not only was he listening to Fr. Al’s sermon…he also internalized the message to the point that he could apply it when someone else needed to hear it. (Thanks, Geoffrey!) For these reasons, I feel he deserves to be awarded the So Very Special Student of the Month Award for December.

 

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Geoffrey has been an exemplary student all year long. He is polite and chooses to do good at an age when many boys struggle with impulse control. Geoffrey worked very hard this month to draw the cover for the Christmas program. His academic record in my class is top-notch!
 

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Geoffrey has used his talents to act as mentor with his multiple reading group for forensics. He has gently encouraged and taught the younger students in his group to excel with their presentation. And they did! Two first place at the first tournament! It is difficult to find a young person who sees a need and actually addresses it on his own. Service to others is what our school is all about. I believe Jesus already Nominated Geoffrey.
 

Here are excerpts for some of the other excellent nominations: