BIG PINEY – The Sublette County School District No. 9 (SCSD9) Board of Trustees recognized five Students of the Month for February and March at its March 16 meeting.

SCSD9 choir teacher Angela Swanson nominated Sydney Key as the LaBarge Elementary School Student of the Month for February.

“Sydney is bright, bright, bright!” wrote Swanson. “She is not only ready to learn, but she is excited to learn, as shown through her bright eyes, her posture and her smile.”

Swanson praised Key as an “accomplished musician and performer.” Key played a businessmen in the school’s Christmas play, “A Christmas Carol,” and is learning to play the mallet and mastering singing exercises called Orff Arrangements, Swanson continued.

“Sydney is always singing on pitch and eats up any new music material thrown at her,” Swanson said.

Key told the board she hopes to be a teacher someday. Key defined leadership as “making sure no one is left behind.”

“Thank you for being in our world, Sydney,” Swanson added. “You make it better and your future is bright.”

P.E. teacher Jess Nugent presented Savannah Alexander as the LaBarge Elementary School Student of the Month for March.

“One of my favorite things about Savannah is her willingness to try new things,” Nugent said. “She encourages others when they are struggling and she always welcomes her partner or teammates, no matter who she is placed with. Savannah’s smile can change anyone’s bad day into a good day.”

LBES teacher Kati Hunt remarked that Alexander puts in extra effort on her schoolwork and “has a fabulous attitude” in the classroom.

“She is one of the sweetest kids around,” Hunt added.

Fellow teacher Angela Cutter also spoke of Alexander’s work ethic.

“Savannah is determined, hardworking and willing to try new things even if they are hard,” Cutter wrote to the board.

“Savannah is kind, helpful, positive and hardworking,” said Principal Amy Bell.

Big Piney Elementary School third-grade teacher Bobbi Guenthner honored Yulia Carpenter as the March Student of the Month.

“Yulia is a very deserving candidate,” Guenthner said. “She strives for excellence in all that she does. Her education is important to her and she truly wants to learn and do her best.”

Carpenter exhibits responsibility in the classroom and in Student Council, Guenthner added.

Carpenter displayed courage by participating as a junior musher in the 2023 Pedigree State Stop dogsled race in January, “bravely” stepping up to delivere a speech at the pre-race dinner in Marbleton, Guenthner pointed out.

Guenthner commended Carpenter’s free spirit.

“Yulia doesn’t just follow the crowd,” Guenthner said. “She likes to dance to her own drum. Yulia strives to lift up everyone around her. She is curious, adventurous and truly loves life. I have no doubt Yulia will continue to be a shining star for the district’s mission and vision statement.”

Big Piney Middle School (BPMS) Principal Tyler Walker recognized eighth-grader Addison Kinnamon as the March Student of the Month for exhibiting the character trait of responsibility. Three teachers nominated Kinnamon – Kristi Hibbert, Stephen Bell and Jacquelyn Todd.

Kinnamon models responsibility in the computer science classroom and as the manager for the BPMS boys’ basketball team, Bell wrote to trustees.

“As a team manager, Addison was second to none,” Bell added. “I did not have to ask her to do things, she just did them. She showed up to practices and games and helped in any way she could. She supported the team by taking stats, encouraging players or taping up their ankles.”

Todd portrayed Kinnamon as a “kindhearted” and “hardworking” student.

“Addison consistently sets a good example for others by her kindness and compassion,” Todd stated. “If another student needs help, Addison is one of the first to reach out and encourage or assist.”

Kinnamon is a “leader among her peers,” said Hibbert, and holds her teammates accountable during group projects.

“Addison has continuously grown as a student at BPMS as she builds her skills in the classroom,” Hibbert added. “She is an asset to our school and will be an excellent addition to Big Piney High School next year.”

Walker applauded Kinnamon a “positive role model.”

“I’ve been really glad to get to know her over the last year and watch the amazing things that she has done by being a good example in our school,” Walker said.

Big Piney High School teacher McKenzie Sullivan introduced sophomore Emma York as March Student of the Month.

“Emma’s positivity is contagious,” said Sullivan. “It is really hard to have a bad day when you end it with coaching this young lady (in indoor track). Emma truly gives her all in everything she does – school, music, 4-H, swimming and track.”

York “faithfully practices” the district values, wrote English teacher Tracy Hughes.

“Emma is well-liked by all her teachers and peers,” Hughes noted. “She is pleasant to be around and is mature and funny. Emma will go very far in life. What a gem.”

York was selected by the Wyoming Music Educators Association to perform in the 2023 Honor Choir in January.

“I remember seeing Emma in the talent show when she was a third-grader,” said choir teacher Angela Swanson. “That performance stuck with me because she really stood out as a shining star at that young age. Emma has a beautiful soprano voice and has a natural vibrato.”

Principal Jeff Makelky praised York as a “terrific role model.”

“Emma is a tremendous example of a student that displays and works very hard to demonstrate the value of excellence,” Makelky said.

Vocational arts teacher Brent Hibbert expressed pride in the strides York has made over the last two years.

“Emma always strives for excellence in her work and finds joy in it,” Hibbert wrote. “She is a leader in class and outside school. Her positivity in class wears off on me and others around her. Thank you, Emma, for making the world a better place.”