Though they’ve barely had the time to let their second straight Reward School title sink in, the students at Sister Lakes Elementary School are already fired up to capture the honor again this school year.

But first, it’s celebration time.

The staff of the elementary school held an assembly for their students Monday morning to do just that. In addition to congratulatory speeches from teachers and administrators, the kids got a surprise concert from musician duo Eric Aardema and Simon Panter from Kalamazoo, playing covers of classic pop and rock songs like “My Girl” and “Sweet Home Alabama” for the kids huddled inside the school gymnasium.

Sister Lakes was one of 330 schools honored by the Michigan Department of Education as Reward School recipient. Along with Patrick Hamilton Elementary School, it was one of two Dowagiac schools to receive the designation for “beating the odds,” with student standardized test scores well exceeding the state’s expectations. Sister Lakes received the title last year as well.

To open the morning assembly, Principal Mike Campbell read the congratulatory letter sent to the school by Department of Education Superintendent Michael Flanagan.

“We hope your staff, students and community take pride in your achievement,” Campbell read. “You represent the best of what Michigan schools has to offer.”

Every one of the school’s teachers and staffs also personally congratulated the students for their achievements over the past two years.

“Congratulations on taking your learning into your own hands and becoming a community of learners,” said fourth-grade teacher Shannon Hatch.

Superintendent Paul Hartsig and Deputy Superintendent Dawn Connor also spoke during the assembly, encouraging the students to carry the momentum forward into the coming school year.

“This is the first time in my 28 years with the district that we’ve had a school named as Reward School twice in a row, and that’s because of all of you,” Connor said, pointing to the students. “You know what success feels like, so continue to do that for your testing, for your sports and for the rest of your lives.”