Snelson-Golden Middle School honor-roll students were encouraged to do their best and believe in themselves throughout the remainder of the school year and their lives during Tuesday’s academic honors recognition ceremony.
More than 200 students were recognized for their honor-roll achievements during the program, which included a student’s rendition of pop singer Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” and a message from Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas.
“If ya’ll heard the words to the song, it is perfect,” Thomas said after Samantha Schorlau’s performance. “I would like to applaud you for your hard work. The work that got you to be an honor student today will get you to where you want to go.”
Even after his microphone unexpectedly cut out, Thomas continued his speech, which, ironically, was about perseverance.
“You’ve got to be that kind of person who is going to take the lead and do what they need to do to succeed. You have the drive; you have the ability,” Thomas told the students. “Work hard and be persistent. Your education is not done when you leave high school. Your education is not done when you leave college … life is a learning experience. Everywhere you go, you should be in that education mode.”
Students on the A and A-B honor rolls were called onto the stage, where they received certificates for their efforts after the mayor’s short speech. Students who earned straight A’s had their names entered into a drawing for various prizes, which were set up on a long table and on the floor of the cafeteria.
The ceremony included refreshments for parents and students and was organized by an honor-roll committee, Snelson-Golden Principal Katrina Bateman said.
The team hosts fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for the prizes given away at the ceremony, including bikes, DVD players, televisions, stereos and other items.
Bateman thanked the students for their hard work and motivation for the first nine weeks of 2011 and asked them to try their hardest.
“Thank you (to the parents) for your continued support,” Bateman said, and “helping our future generation to be leaders and great role models.”