LHS Honors May Students of the Month

LEMONT, IL — Four Lemont High School students were honored with May “Student of the Month” accolades at the district’s Board of Education meeting on May 15. LHS said the honorees were senior Kyla Owens (Student Services), junior David Miller (Special Education), sophomore Victoria Garcia (Driver Education) and freshman Meredith Mathias (Health).

According to a release, each month, Lemont High School honors students for hard work and dedication to the school and the community. Selections rotate among the school’s various departments from month to month. Only 32 students earn “Student of the Month” accolades each school year, with four individuals honored each month from October through May. Students may be selected for this prestigious honor only once in their careers at Lemont High School.

LHS said local businessman Brad Grcevic, of Edward Jones, Inc., contributes a donation each month to a charity selected by the “Student of the Month” award winners. This month’s winners selected the Lemont United Methodist Food Pantry to receive the donation.

Meredith Mathias, Freshman, Health

Mathias was selected as the Freshman Student of the Month by the Health Department. According to a release, Mathias is a high honor roll student whose favorite classes include Health, Integrated Math and
Cultural Geography. Her teachers describe her as a hard worker who takes her studies very seriously.
She consistently participates in class, and is willing to help her classmates or instructors when needed. Mathias was a member of the girls’ bowling team over the winter, and also is involved with Student Council and the Health Occupations Student Association. Her short-term goals include being inducted into the school’s National Honor Society, and someday she hopes to pursue a career in criminal justice. In her free time, Mathias works part-time at her dad’s company and enjoys four wheeling, snowmobiling, fishing and swimming.

Victoria Garcia, Sophomore, Driver Education

The Driver Education Department tabbed Victoria Garcia as the Sophomore Student of the Month. A high honor roll performer, Garcia states that she most enjoys Integrated Math III Honors, Creative Writing II and AP Physics. According to a release, she is involved in a wide range of activities, including Girl Scouts, Interact, Student Council, Drama Club and Photography Club. She also is a Mu Alpha Theta inductee. LHS said Garcia's teachers note that she is a pleasure to have in class, leads others with her own determination to succeed, and sets high goals for herself that she works daily to achieve. She plans on attending college and hopes to pursue a career in engineering. Garcia enjoys reading, writing and spending time with her friends. She also baby sits and works as a camp counselor.

David Miller, Junior, Special Education

David Miller was cited as the Junior Student of the Month by the Special Education Department. According to a release, Miller is a high honor roll student who lists English, Physics, Business & Technology Concepts and
Food Preparation as his favorite classes. Miller has served in an important role as the varsity football
manager for several years, and also has participated in Special Olympics, the Evening Out Club, Breakfast Buddies, and Special Recreation at the Lemont Park District. He has made consistent improvement since his freshman year, and has worked hard to meet criteria to be in general education classes. Miller has learned new strategies to assist him with trying new tasks and effectively socializing with his peers and teachers. He hopes to become a chef. Miller enjoys football, playing board games, relaxing and watching all sports.

Kyla Owens, Senior, Student Services

The Student Services Department named Kyla Owens as the Senior Student of the Month. A high honor roll student, Owens most enjoys her internship in the Special Education Department and Psychology. LHS said she plays both the flute and oboe, and has played in the Marching Band and Honors Symphonic Band. A National Honor Society inductee, Owens was a four-year starter on the girls’ bowling team who earned all-conference accolades as a senior. In her Special Ed internship, she has enthusiastically worked with students, showing a keen ability to entice students into engaging in their assigned tasks. She effectively works individually and in groups with great initiative and a positive attitude. According to a release, Owens will bowl at Drury University, where she plans on studying psychology. Ultimately, she hopes to work as an occupational therapist. She has served as a volunteer with organizations that offer programs for individuals with disabilities, as well as with Good Samaritan Hospital.

Photos provided by Lemont High School.