Norton Students Honored at Scholar Leaders Banquet

Maryssa Fairbanks and Luke Kane, students at Norton Middle School, were honored at the 13th annual Middle Level Scholar Leader Awards Banquet.

The award is organized each year by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middle Level Educators and the New England League of Middle Schools, with the supporting sponsorship from Lifetouch National School Studios.

Kane and Fairbanks, both 14, are eighth graders at Norton Middle School. Throughout the year they have maintained good grades, helped out within the community and in school. They also tutor fellow students in math. Because of these achievements, their teachers nominated them for this award.

“I think they are excellent representatives of the school,” said Norton Middle School principal Michael O’Rourke. “These two students, to me, are leaders by example.”

The banquet took place at Best Western Royal Plaza in Marlborough May 23. Each student was presented an award recognizing his or her achievements. The criteria for being chosen to receive the award include demonstrating academic initiative and scholarship, providing service to classmates and school, exemplifying positive attitudes and demonstrating leadership in the classroom and school activities.

“The future is in good hands if they are all like these two,” O’Rourke said.

Fairbanks brought her math teacher Amanda Banks. “She’s really nice,” Fairbanks said. “She gives us a really good understanding of math.” Banks also demonstrated genuine care for Fairbanks’ well being throughout the year.

Kane invited his social studies teacher, Daniel Blodgett. “He’s a really fun teacher and new this year. He’s done really well handling it,” Kane said. “I’ve learned a lot from his class.”

Over 450 guests, including students, educators and parents, attended this year’s banquet, which celebrated the achievements of middle level students who are representative of the many adolescents in middle schools across Massachusetts. The guests included 90 students from 45 schools all over the state.