Group Honors Students Who Turn Around Academic Performance

A local group gave some recognition to students who might not normally earn academic awards at Spring Meadows Country Club in Linden Tuesday.

The didn't honor those with the top grades, but those who made the biggest turnaround in their studies.

President Jeff Phillips created the Fenton Area Optimist Club’s annual Turn Around Achievement Award eight years ago. The purpose of the award is to recognize the achievements of students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grade, who have made significant improvements in their lives. These changes could be improving grades, developing better study and work habits and changing negative behavior.

The award winners are selected by school administrators and teachers in the , and Linden school districts. Each district is eligible to select five students in grades six through eighth.

The luncheon Tuesday was attended by more than 100 students, their families, teachers, school principals, community leaders and Optimist Club members.

Each student was given a certificate of achievement from the Optimist Club. They were also given proclamations from the municipality where their school is located. Each student received a gift bag filled with items donated by local merchants as well.

Linden Middle School teacher Debbie Coleman spoke highly of sixth-grader Macee Sova’s turn around in her studies. 

Coleman said Macee loved to talk to friends in class, which disrupted her learning. Coleman then said she was amazed in class one time when a friend was trying to talk to her, and she quietly said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t talk to you right know.”