Marlboro celebrates students of the month

By Mark Reynolds
Posted 1/31/19

Marlboro High School Brennan Diana was named the Marlboro High School Student of the Month. Principal Ryan Lawler extolled the virtues of this young musician “He wants to continue the study of …

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Marlboro celebrates students of the month

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Marlboro High School
Brennan Diana was named the Marlboro High School Student of the Month. Principal Ryan Lawler extolled the virtues of this young musician
“He wants to continue the study of music. He’s an exceptional student, has an even better moral character and he represents the best of Marlboro,” Lawler said.

Band Director Dr. Jason Orsen said Diana is being honored in the instrumental program. Orsen said he selected Diana because he has seen, “a huge progression you made as a musician from 9th grade until now as an accomplished percussionist.”

Orsen said Diana has participated in the Wind Ensemble, the Concert Band, the Jazz Band, the pit band for the school musical, a member of the All County Band and was principal percussionist for the All State Zone 9 Band.

“With his hard work and dedication I truly believe as he sets forth his goals, his career will be successful and entertaining,” Orsen said. “Every challenge that I set in front of him since 9th grade he just calmly looked down at his music and said, yeah, I can do this Doc...It’s been really exciting to work with him.”

Diana has already been accepted to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, starting in the fall.

Middle School
Assistant Principal Demian Stanmyer named Midori Gosnell as the Marlboro Middle School Student of the Month. Her Marlboro Dukes Team of teachers Kathy Keane, Melissa Carbone, Kassia Messina and Raquel Piazza spoke about this young student.

“We’re here tonight to honor this beautiful young lady, and she is the real prize,” Keane said.

Messina said the traditional game of Loteria [lottery] is planned during the holidays to celebrate family traditions and cultures. It is similar to Bingo but instead uses images and words on a Bingo card, in Spanish, instead of numbers.

Carbone said they have created their own version of Loteria for Midori, “to represent all the qualities that you posses and bring to our MMS family. You are the kind of student every teacher dreams of having in the classroom.”

All of the teachers spoke of the positive qualities that Gosnell possesses (which were translated into Spanish), “She is respectful of others, she has good manners, she is organized, your hand is always up, you participate in class, hard-working to the core, she has a great and good sense of humor, is a team player, is kind and caring and she values her education.”

The teachers said all of these words, “represent who you are...We want to thank her parents because you really have instilled these role models that we have for all our students and we couldn’t be more blessed. Congratulations on this honor.”

Superintendent Michael Brooks provided a coda for the evening’s special honorees.

“The public tonight witnessed some fantastic characteristics of what it truly takes to be a Duke, things like they’re polite, they’re role models, they move mountains, they’re humble and pleasant, they’re respectful and organized, they have a sense of humor and are caring, they set goals and they meet challenges,” he said. “Families, thank you so much for sending us great people every day and to the three students, thank you for being great people.”

Elementary School
Principal Patricia Walsh named Emilio Penafiel as the Marlboro Elementary School School Student of the Month.

Teacher Michelle Mylie said Emilio was chosen because, “he is an outstanding role model.” She said he always greets her with a warm smile and without any prompting he begins his morning routine.

“He always follows directions and does what he’s supposed to do the first time he’s asked to do it,” she said. “He is able to keep himself focused and more from one task to the next. He is independent, self-motivated, always takes pride in his work and treats students and adults with respect.”

Mylie said Emilio is a role model for his peers in the way he works with other students during partner and group times in the classroom. When two new students joined the class this year Emilio “welcomed them warmly,” and was right by their side, helping them understand the procedures and daily routines in the classroom.

“I could go on and on about this little guy but I wouldn’t have anything to write in his report card,” she said, giving thanks to Emilio’s parents, “for doing a great job raising your son. You two are outstanding role models as Emilio emulates you.”

Mylie said she is looking forward to seeing Emilio’s accomplishments in the future.

“This guy is well on his way to move mountains with his strong work ethic and pleasant and humble way. Congratulations,” she concluded.