Chartiers Valley names first-ever student of the month

Chartiers Valley High School is recognizing students that exemplify positive character traits in and out of the classroom.

In January, the school named its first ever Student of the Month, senior Sarah Verduci, who stood out to teachers.

“One of the reasons given for Sarah to be our first Student of the Month was that, ‘She does everything right,’” assistant Principal Robbie Butts said. “And when I read that, I can’t disagree.”

The program originated after Verduci’s dad, Joe, contacted the district about ways the Rotary Club of Bridgeville-South Fayette could get more involved with the school, Butts said.

An example given was that South Fayette has a Student of the Month. After speaking about the idea of bringing such a program to Chartiers Valley with teachers on the Positive Behavior and Intervention Support [PBIS] team, it was agreed that this would be a great fit for the school, Butts said.

He searched the internet to see how schools across the country have framed such a program.

In Chartiers Valley, they came up with a list of qualities that they would like to see in a student. That includes being “trustworthy, honest, showing persistence and grit, positive citizenship and how do they work with others,” Butts said.

They’re looking for the students who “best exemplifies what it means to be a Chartiers Valley student,” he said. That could mean opening doors for people or carrying books for a classmate who is on crutches.

Chartiers Valley’s PBIS team — comprised of school counselors and teachers — decided to let teachers vote to select the student of the month. This occurs during their monthly faculty meetings.

The recognition is not grade based.

The Student of the Month will receive a certificate and be invited to quarterly luncheons with the Rotary, where they also will be recognized.

Sarah, 17, of Bridgeville, said being recognized by the school district is still sinking in for her.

Last school year, she and a friend started the Mini Thon at Chartiers Valley, which raises money for childhood cancer and patient care.

Sarah also is on the softball team and a member of the interact club and the school’s DECA club.

“She’s one of the best,” Butts said.

When he asks Sarah to do anything, she completes the task “very, very rapidly and it’s always done very well,” he said. “She’s one of those students that is goal oriented, but not just oriented, but also driven by those goals. Once she sets her mind in a direction, it’s very difficult to get her to think about anything else.”

Sarah isn’t afraid to speak her mind, both she and the assistant principal agreed.

She’s working to “improve the culture” at the school, she said. That includes overseeing Mini Thon, where there’s a unifying theme and it brings the entire school together for a good cause.

She tries to be involved and hopes to learn as much as she can while she’s at Chartiers Valley.

The hope is that recognizing a student each month will give others in the school someone to aspire to be like.

While the adult PBIS team is using this to reward positive behavior among students, about 15 students have their own PBIS team, where they recently launched their own initiative.

The student-led program, called “The CV 100,” aims to recognize people in the building that are doing something kind. They’re nominating people they see going above and beyond to be one of “The CV 100.”

Those recognized will have their picture on the wall in the school offices and will be a part of a drawing to win prizes.

The hope is that all of this gives students “an example to strive for,” Butts said.

The student of the month program is just getting off of the ground and will be recognized on the school’s announcements. In the future, they hope to give students a plaque to recognize their efforts.