Students who were able to largely increase their GPA have been awarded by the Small Steps award. Through the work of principals Mr. Tim McCarthy and Dr. Carletta Harlan, the Small Steps award was created for Parkway Central students who raised their GPA by .5.
For students like junior Brittany Gregory, “looking towards college was a big influence.”
“I decided to start working hard, because I wanted to improve my grades for college, and start competing with my friends who would brag about their good grades,” Gregory said.
The Small Steps award not only shows the raise in grades students received, but makes students recognize their achievement is being noticed by many others.
“It’s very special for people to honor my hard work that is now paying off. I’m starting to see I can achieve a lot through my persistence and will power,” junior Brandon Fenton said.
Through positive feedback from students like Gregory and Fenton, the award will likely be continued in the upcoming semester.
“This program meant those involved were focused on something to make a positive difference. Mr. McCarthy and I are going to continue to monitor and build up the program,” Harlan said. “It was a really lovely event for everyone involved.”
The diversity of the students who won the award is also important. All students, regardless of their current GPA, were able to qualify – even honor roll students could achieve the award.
“All students should want an award like this because it not only shows they improved but they set a much higher standard for themselves and other students around them to live up to,” Fenton said.
That self-motivation is what shows most from this year’s recipients. Students admitted that extra effort beyond what they had put forth in school paid off.
“Once I started concentrating and visiting my teachers during extra time it was easier to achieve the grades I wanted,” Gregory said. “When I started showing I cared my teachers went the extra step to help me improve my grade. Now the effort I give is reflected as I received the grades I want.”
