Each month the Highland Board of Education and the Administration honor students for their academic achievements and dedication, calling them Leaders of the Pack.

Assistant Principal Tulani Samuel introduced third grader Harlie LePhew as the Highland Elementary School Leader of the Pack. Samuel said that Harlie’s teachers have noticed that she has stood up for her fellow students; has good communication skills; is always willing to help others when needed; shows focus and attention during her schoolwork; is a class leader by example; always works safely with equipment in the gym and is a responsible student.

“For all these reasons and more you are our Leader of the Pack. Congratulations,” Samuel said.

Maliyah Gonzalez was named the Highland Middle School Leader of the Pack by Assistant Principal Andrew Carnright.

“Every single staff member and every teacher that Maliyah has had all basically said the same thing, which is that she’s an amazing, kind, thoughtful and caring person. She is probably one of the most favorite students of all the staff members because of that and I think that’s a tribute.”

Carnright cited comments from her teachers about this special eighth grader: “She’s a very conscientious student who is always willing to help her classmates and she brings a positive attitude with a smile and laughter every single day; She is thoughtful, kind and eager to assist her peers and takes her academics seriously and is polite to her teachers and staff; She demonstrates kindness in all her classes; Maliyah is outstanding in all aspects of Middle School life and has the greatest sense of humor; brightens my day when she stops by my office to say hi or just to talk, congratulations.”

Assistant Principal Evan Kirsch presented eleventh grader Linguere Ndiaye as the Highland High School Leader of the Pack. He said he loves featuring these Leaders because, “it highlights a lot of positivity of the students and what they’re bringing to our schools and our community.” He said Linguere is a very bright student and is dedicated to her school work and to her extracurricular activities.

Kirsch read a few comments from Linguere’s teachers: “She is a diligent and thoughtful young woman whose insights enrich class discussions; She speaks multiple languages with her family including French; she supports her classmates during group work and has a lot to offer; I know Linguere will accomplish a lot and improve the world in whatever capacity she decides in the future; She epitomizes excellence in everything she does; Linguere makes an effort to try her best in everything and helps to motivate herself and others around her at all times; Linguere is a hard-working and dedicated student that demonstrates particular attention to detail in all of her work; She prepares her work carefully, asks insightful questions and is an asset to the class both academically as well as personally; Linguere is a quiet leader in both the concert and jazz bands; She is dependable, responsible and kind; She is very musical and has worked on advanced repertoire in both classical and jazz styles.

Linguere makes the entire Music Department better every day through her leadership and musicianship; She is fantastic and puts effort into all of the work she does and is a model student during class; She is thoughtful, soft-spoken and leads in the best way possible - by example; Linguere is a joy to teach and is the kind of student that you wished you had a hundred of; She is obviously a leader in the classroom, and her work ethic, positive attitude and willingness to help others makes her a role model for her peers.

Congratulations Linguere, you deserve this honor.”

Board of Education President Alan Barone added, “On behalf of the entire school board, congratulations, job well done, to all our Leaders of the Pack.”