For months, many of Palmetto’s top students have worked tirelessly to maintain good grades and stay involved in school activities. On Tuesday, April 26, ninety-six Panthers were recognized for their achievements at the annual Underclass Awards Ceremony, which was hosted by seniors Brittany Batten and Daniel Castan.
“It’s important for students to be recognized for hard work because it acts as positive reinforcement,” sophomore Zoe Cosner, recipient of the Outstanding Science Student and Best All Around Sophomore Awards, said.
Many of Palmetto’s administrators, including Principal Howard Weiner, attended the event to speak about and support the recognized students. Awards were presented by counselors, department heads, and other faculty members.
“It is a glorious day to be a Palmetto Panther,” Weiner said as he addressed the students and their families.
Students who did receive the awards appreciated the recognition. The ceremony lasted two hours, yet summed up the work of an entire year.
“Walking up onto the stage I had a smile that stretched from ear to ear and I could barely comprehend what had just happened,” junior Evan Hacker, recipient of the Brown University Book Award, said. “This opportunity was unquestionably one of the finest moments of my educational experience.”
Despite the positive emotions that were evoked from the ceremony, students did not necessarily think that it was perfect. One of the problems that arose came with the seating of students at the event.
“The actual ceremony turned out to be quite interesting,” Hacker said. “However, I would have altered the seating arrangements. The awardees were diffused throughout the massive auditorium. This prolonged the ceremony by taking up time as they needed to walk up to the stage. Perhaps next year all recipients should have reserved seating in the front rows.”
Overall, the Underclass Awards Ceremony served as a chance to congratulate a handful of ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade student for their hard work and success throughout the year.
“It [the ceremony] encourages students to work harder to get these awards,” Cosner said. “It makes them feel like the hard work really paid off.”