By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
The Board of Education recognized six September Citizens of the Month Monday night in Dowagiac Middle School cafeteria as the recognition program began its 16th year.
DMS eighth grader Sinjin Ownby, McKinley fourth grader Maggie Denly, Union High senior Maureen Pickar, Kincheloe second grader Katie Sharma, Sister Lakes fourth grader Kendra Wilson and Justus Gage kindergartner Lewis Hartsig received engraved plaques, orange “Chieftain Hero” T-shirts or framed certificates from the school board.
Patrick Hamilton Middle School's September Citizen, Ksinya Topash, will be recognized in November.
Sinjin Ownby
Sinjin, 14, is the son of Don and Babita Ownby. He has a 13-year-old sister, Devon, who also attends the middle school as a seventh grader. Principal Mike Frazier introduced him.
Sinjin is a member of the eighth grade orange team. He was nominated by secretary Lissa McIntosh.
Sinjin plays left guard on the football team and wrestles at the 189 weight class.
He has a great attitude and is well-liked by his teachers and his peers.
Besides athletics, Sinjin's hobbies are coin collecting and having fun with his friends and family.
He wants to attend Lockhaven College in Pennsylvania to wrestle and to play football. He doesn't know yet what he would like to do after college.
When asked who is favorite teacher is, he replies, “I like all my teachers.”
Mrs. McIntosh said, “I nominated Sinjin because at a time when I needed some help (maneuvering a wheelchair at a school dance), Sinjin stepped up out of a group of kids to help. Now that I see him in school, he is the same polite, helpful person all the time.”
Maggie Denly
Maggie, presented by Principal Kay Tularak, is the daughter of Nikki and Jay Brackensick. Maggie has a 4-year-old brother, Hunter, in Inside Track and an older brother, Spencer, in seventh grade.
Teacher Todd Judd nominated the fourth grader. He says Maggie is nice to everyone in his gym class. Judd described Maggie as courteous, persevering, fair and possessing integrity.
She always tries hard at every game, stays positive and has fun.
Maureen Pickar
Maureen, a “renaissance woman,” was nominated by Mrs. Teri Frantz, her English teacher, and introduced by Principal Paul Hartsig, who had her as a student when he taught science. She is a student aide for Jo Paradise.
Frantz said, “Moe is a student with true intellectual curiosity. She loves traveling and learning for learning's sake.
She has volunteered at the Cass District Library, on the teen library advisory board, various political activist groups, Academic Challenge and, most recently, as technical director for Drama Club.”
In what little spare time she has, Moe belongs to National Honor Society, Varsity Club and several softball teams - including the one that won the Little League state softball tournament. She plays Sousaphone in marching band and trombone in jazz band. She loves to read.
Maureen, daughter of John and Sue Pickar, has a 14-year-old sister, JoAnna.
Katelyn Sharma
Katie, a second grader in Miss Brenda Wagner's class, is the daughter of Kim Sharma. She has a sister, Olivia, 4. Katie really likes baseball because she can play it with her friends. She likes horses and has a pet chinchilla.
Katie's mom, Kim, and Sinjin's mother, Babita, are sisters. The cousins' maternal grandparents are former school employees Clarence and Fran Kiggins. She was introduced by Principal Dan Smith.
At school Katie likes to read June B. Jones books. She likes the character because Junie is so funny. Katie also likes to write stories in her journal about things that have happened to her.
Katie is an excellent student. She is always eager to learn and soaks up information like a sponge. When she does her work, she does her best and helps others when she can. She is always pleased with her work and is proud to take it home and show her family.
When Katie is at home she likes to spend time with her family. Katie also likes playing with her sister.
Kendra Wilson
Kendra is a fourth grader in Kathy Karsten's class. She is the daughter of Todd and Robin Wilson. The rest of her family is comprised of her 14-year-old brother, Brandon, and two pet dogs, Sandy and Holly. The presence of four generations of her family provided Kendra with her own cheering section.
Kendra's favorite subjects in school are social studies and science.
She enjoys social studies because “it helps you learn about people who lived a long time ago.” Science is a favorite because of Kendra's love of animals. She hopes studying science will help her pursue a career as a veterinarian or zoologist.
Kendra's hobbies include playing soccer, collecting state quarters and playing guitar.
She is known as a very helpful young lady. Her enthusiasm for cleaning tasks makes her “sparkle” as a kindergarten helper at school.
Kendra is also grounding herself in community service at an early age by participating in American Cancer Society Relays for Life in both Cass and Berrien counties.
Lewis Hartsig
Lewis, son of Paul and Diane Hartsig, is a student in Mrs. Dianne Shirrell's morning kindergarten class. Principal Bob Franz introduced “Sweet Lew” and said he “has a lot of potential.” Lewis beat his dad, the high school principal, at chess.
Lewis is known as a superb student who is always polite and kind to all of his classmates. His teacher reports that she can always count on Lewis to be a good listener, an active participant in class and a good example for others.
At school, Lewis likes working with numbers. The blocks, silent reading and computers are three of his favorite activities. He also enjoys art and music.
Lewis likes to play with cars during free time. His favorite thing about school, however, is going outside for recess.
After school, Lewis enjoys playing soccer and tee ball. He also enjoys playing video games. He likes to help his sister, Mae, 4, put puzzles together. He also has a new baby sister, Millie, 3 months old.
Lewis likes to go pay bills with dad and read with his mom. When he grows up, Lewis would like to play both soccer and baseball.