Boys’ night out at Justus Gage

Published 10:28 pm Tuesday, December 16, 2008

By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Dowagiac Board of Education Monday night at Justus Gage Elementary School honored six November Citizens of the Month – all boys – and October's Union High School selection.
Cole Parker of Justus Gage, Derek Revis of Sister Lakes, Brian Groth and Courtney Bogen of DUHS, Cameron Ruff of Dowagiac Middle School, Franklin Perkins of Patrick Hamilton and Blake Slabaugh of Kincheloe received plaques and Chieftain Hero T-shirts from the school board at its last 2008 meeting.
Cole Parker
Cole, a student in Mrs. Amanda Merriman's morning kindergarten class, is the son of Matthew and Rachell Parker. Principal Marcy Hendress introduced Cole.
Cole cares about others and is very generous to other children in the class.
He always follows directions and makes great choices at school each day.
Cole's favorite school activities include math, learning centers and making art projects.
He also enjoys looking at books and drawing pictures.
Cole works well with the other children at centers and he is always willing to help his classmates.
Cole's favorite things to do at home are to play with his Legos and to look at books.
He also likes to play with his little sister, Ella, 1.
Derek Revis
Fifth grader Derek Revis is the son of Roland and Yonna Revis and a student in Mrs. Shannon Hatch's classroom. Derek has an older brother, Kyle, and an older sister, Lianna. Principal Matt Severin presented Derek.
Derek is known as a great student and friend. He is kind, generous and honest. He always follows school rules and works hard at his studies. His favorite subject is math.
Reading "spooky" books from the Goosebumps series is one of his favorite things to do along with riding his dirt bike.
At home, Derek's favorite food is spaghetti. He enjoys playing Monopoly with his family.
Although a "quiet, gentle soul" at school, Derek is an avid drummer whose favorite bands are Rush, Kiss and Ozzy Osbourne.
"He is definitely someone to be noticed," Hatch said.
Brian Groth
Brian, a senior, is the son of Carl and Tracy Groth. He has one sister, Alyssa. He was nominated by his English teacher, Edith Carey, who called him "my good buddy" as she tugged him into position by the sleeve of his letter jacket.
Mrs. Carey states, "Brian Groth was in my English class last year and I was very impressed by his positive, good work ethic. Brian's hard-working attitude doesn't allow others to influence his behavior. He knows what he has to do, will ask a question if needed and finish what he starts.
"This year I have Brian in my speech class. I am so glad he is taking the class because he is such a wonderful role model for the other students. Brian is shy and quiet, but that never stops him from trying. In speech class we give formal speeches and also perform children's stories in play-skit form for the elementary schools. Brian never quits or tells me he can't or won't do something in class. He is the first to volunteer and always tries his best."
Carey said he can be "sweating bullets" trying to overcome his shyness while speaking, but he has a "heart as big as he is."
"Brian is a gentle giant. Fellow classmates look up t him in more ways than one. His positive attitude and willingness to work with everyone make him liked by all. Everyone wants Brian in their group. Brian is a kind, caring person and is an excellent example of Citizen of the Month," Carey said.
Principal Paul Hartsig introduced Brian and Courtney Bogen.
Courtney Bogen
Courtney, a sophomore, is the daughter of Chris and Alisa Bogen. Courtney has three brothers, Christian, Cody and Aiden. She was nominated by her English teacher, Haynie Gourley, and her math teacher, Keith Klann.
Gourley stated, "We are pleased to select Courtney as citizen of the month. Our primary reason for this is that Courtney is a proactive student. Last year, high school was overwhelming to her, with all the new responsibilities and additional academic requirement. Like many freshmen, she was challenged by the increased workload and became very frustrated. But, unlike most students, Courtney did not give up. She and her mother worked together to construct a plan for her to succeed, and it worked. This year, Courtney is dedicated to her educational development and has matured into a young woman who is focused on her future. She is a prime example of the parent/child formula for success. In fact, her mother should also receive a citizen of the month for her proactive efforts with Courtney."
Cameron Ruff
Cameron, 13, is the son of Lori Ruff. He has a brand-new baby sister, Daniele. Principal Mike Frazier introduced Cameron.
Cameron is in eighth grade and plays football and basketball for DMS.
In his free time, he likes to focus on sports and to go snowboarding.
His favorite class is science. His favorite teacher is Paula Steffens.
Ms. Steffens said of Cameron, "What can I tell you? He's your basic good guy. He comes to class every day and gets right to work and asks good questions. He also has the highest grade in his class."
Cameron would like to be a lawyer when he grows up or in some field in law enforcement. He would like to attend the University of Notre Dame.
Cameron thinks he was Citizen of the Month because he works hard in the classroom, on the court and on the field.
Franklin Perkins Jr.
Franklin is a fourth grader in Ms. Karyl Sifford's room at Patrick Hamilton Elementary. He lives with his father, Franklin Perkins Sr.
Franklin is known as a very honest and forthright child. He is an extremely hard worker with plenty of parental support.
He loves to help his teacher with tasks in the classroom, and he helps his father work on cars.
Franklin is well-liked by all his fellow students and makes friends easily.
He is slow to anger or frustrate, which adds to his appeal.
Franklin adds humor and insight to his classroom. That is why they all respond to and enjoy Franklin.
Sifford said he "made my day" when he was first to grasp the concept that a desert is a big eco-system.
To console him missing "Charlie Brown" to attend the school board meeting, Principal Heather Nash, who described him as honest, presented Franklin with a "Peanuts" movie he can watch anytime.
Blake Slaubaugh
The Kincheloe fourth grader in Dave Vibbert's classroom was presented by Principal Dawn Conner, who called him a "keeper." He told Conner he won because he is "not a lagger."
He is a pleasure to have in class. He starts his school day with a big smile and a pleasant greeting. Blake's positive learning attitude shines as he listens well and participates in group activities.
Blake has taken responsibility and control over his learning. He is not afraid to take risks or to challenge himself.
With his keen mind he takes advantage of each learning situation to see what he can glean from it.
Blake has learned to profit from each opportunity he encounters. During class time, Blake is often the first to offer to help others.
Blake is thankful for his family – dad Joe, mom Tammy, along with his sister Megan and brothers Logan and Zachary.
He loves to hunt with his grandpa and to skin deer.
He helps his dad work on the vehicles and plow snow.
Blake helps his mom with the dishes and laundry.
He also enjoys sharing stories about his recent outdoor adventures with his class, according to another of his teachers, Sarah Posey.