MCKINLEY CHARACTER CHAMPIONS FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

During our meeting on February 17, 2017, Canton Rotarian Mike Brown introduced the McKinley Character Champion Award Winners for the months of January and February.  They are: Skyler Basiakos, J'Rease Turner, Craig Gordon and La'Ryaih Fields.

 

Skyler Basiakos is an outstanding student in all respects. She has proven that, through hard work and persistence, she can accomplish tasks in a courteous and timely manner.  Skyler's current grade point average at McKinley is a 3.9, even as she has taken many rigorous courses.  She is also a student leader at McKinley.  For example, she is the senior class secretary, a role that she takes seriously. Skyler plans on attending Walsh University and majoring in Nursing. She hopes to become an ER or surgical nurse.  After graduating with a BSN, Skylar aspires to become a nurse practitioner. Skyler's patience, teaching ability and work ethic make her a character champion.

 

J'Rease Turner has received the Deaf Teen of the Year Award and has been the Canton City District Student of the Month. It is easy to see why he has earned this recognition. His 3.69 GPA has been earned as he has taken many rigorous courses, including a two year Engineering program.  He plans to continue Engineering in college, and will attend the National Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Technical Institute in New York. While in high school, he has been a member of the cross country and track teams, the National Honor Society, and the National Technical Honor Society. He has also worked at Marc's. What makes J'Rease stand out to many of the McKinley family are his huge smile and extremely upbeat attitude. His perseverance, positivity, and achievement make him a character champion.

 

Craig Gordon is a dedicated student who consistently challenges himself and works hard every day. During high school, his interests have shifted from basketball to drama. He is currently very excited to have been chosen for a role in the school musical.  He is interested in majoring in Business and plans to attend Kent State University. Craig exemplifies what it means to be a student of good character. He is an excellent citizen, is respectful and is incredibly responsible. He goes above and beyond to be kind to everyone and to offer help to students whenever he can. He is respectful to his peers and adults, even when he might not be happy about a particular situation; he tries to find a solution that works for everyone. Craig displays responsibility in his persistent academic efforts and his follow through with each activity he undertakes.

 

La'Ryaih (La-rye-a) Fields is an outstanding student and leader. She came to McKinley last year as a junior and quickly found her niche. She jumped right into a rigorous course load and has been very successful in doing so, earning mostly A's. La'Ryaih is a member of the band, Student Council, and the Speech & Debate team. She also volunteers with children at her church. She is willing to stand up for her peers, herself, or anyone who is being treated unfairly, even when this might not be the popular thing to do. La'Ryaih has overcome some physical challenges early in her life which has fueled her desire to pursue a career as a cardiologist. She plans to attend the University of Akron or Kent State University this fall as a pre-med major.