Dowagiac Union High School’s Youth Experiencing Success program continues to be doing just that.

Another batch of new faces were honored by the school Thursday morning, with 38 freshmen students recognized for earning all A’s and B’s during the first marking period. Besides earning themselves certificates signed by Principal Kelly Millin, the students were handed coupons for a free value meal at the local McDonalds, courtesy of Ronda Sullivan, the vice-president of the board of education.

“You have the right worth ethic and the right habits,” said Doug Pearson, the school’s student advocate, who spoke the students gathered in the media center. “Keep this up, and you will have a productive and successful future.”

This is the third year that the high school has honored the success of their newest class in partnership with the local fast-food restaurant. Pearson conceived of the idea of reaching out to local businesses to demonstrate their commitment to success of the student body.

“The community supports you as well,” he said. “They realize this is an investment, in the future of our community.”

Also congratulating students on Thursday was Millin. This is her first time overseeing the presentation as principal, though she had worked with students for years as the school’s assistant principal.

“You are here because you have got it all figured out,” she said. “You work hard, and you know where to go when you need help.”

The school plans on honoring another batch of freshmen later this year alongside Pizza Hut, as well as their top performing sophomores with Saylor’s Pizza. Pearson is hopeful that they will be able to find a business partner to help coordinate a ceremony honoring their juniors as well, he said.

Any business that would like to participate in the YES Program can contact Pearson at the high school at dpearson@dowagiacschools.org.

The students honored on Thursday were:

Enrique Aguirre

Charity Aumaugher

Joseph Beaver

Lindsey Bogen

Madelyn Casey

Alyssa Castillo

Daniel Contreras

Mckenzie Cross

Brenden Dudley

Nicholas File

Taylore Froehlich

Alexis Hale

Lewis Hartsig

Kristian Horton

Ethan Hunt

Zechary Huston

Anayda Lucio

Gavin Luthringer

Justin Lyle

Alexandra Martin

James Millin

Christopher Moreno Badillo

Caleb Murphy

Christine Pacheco

Natalie Planck

William Preston

Kylee Price

Tonya Roberts

Nickolas Saltzman

Austin Sandberg

Haley Soderbloom

Logan Thies

Elizabeth Turczi

Drew Vaickus

Emily Wagner

Kody Walker

Caleb Weller Wolfe

Shiquan White