Sunday, May 5, 2024
Exchange Club’s Students of the Month are pictured with two members of the club. Pictured left to right, Barrett Boyd, Natalie Fast, Georg Cleverley, Bethany Penrod, Ellie Kelley, and JoAnn Sugg.
The Exchange Club of Gatesville recently named their students of the month for the months of September and October.
Students of the month are seniors and are nominated by a teacher for their outstanding qualities as young people. This recognition is not based solely on academics, but also on character, school, and community involvement and leadership abilities that make a well-rounded individual. Exchange Club members receive the nominations and score each one on merit.
Two students are selected each month from September to February. The 12 students that are selected during the year will be recognized again at the Golden Deeds Banquet, which is held in April. After another round of scoring by club members, the two students with the highest scores will receive $1,000 scholarships from the Exchange Club.
The students of the month chosen include Natalie Fast, Ellie Kelley, Barrett Boyd, and Bethany Penrod.
Natalie Fast was nominated by teacher Bonnie Latham who described her as being an extraordinary young woman who will succeed in any environment she is placed. Latham also stated that Fast is a “confident young woman, eager to succeed, and has a sense of self-awareness many of her peers do not possess.” Latham continued, “Overall, Natalie is a shining example of today’s youth, and her passionate drive, determination, and sense of responsibility coupled with her intrinsic motivation will produce excellence in any circumstance.”
In addition to holding various offices in the student council during her high school career, Fast served as the team captain in debate and has competed in UIL. Her athletic involvement has included track and basketball. She has been a cheerleader serving as the cheer captain being first in state at the academic-all district level.
Fast has been in the National Honor Society for her junior and senior years and holds a 3.99 grade point average.
Ellie Kelley was nominated by teacher Saron Inbody who described her as being one of the most sincere, hardworking, dedicated students in her class. Inbody said, “Ellie Kelley is a student that everyone loves to teach. She is receptive to learning new things and a fast learner.” Inbody continued, “She is a friendly, sincere, and caring human being. This is evident at her clinical rotation at the nursing home and her true love for the people and their needs. She is able to reach out to the residents and care for them as if they were family members.
Kelley has participated in soccer, track, and cross country during her high school career. In Skills USA, she was a state qualifier in three events including Health Knowledge, Basic Health CAR, and Medial Terminology. Her additional school-related activities have included the PALS program, and in 12th grade, the Emergency Room Health Science Practicum.
Kelley is a member of the National Honor Society and holds a 3.97 grade point average.
Barrett Boyd was nominated by teacher Bonnie Latham who described her as a student with an exceptional mind who can think on a deep and critical level. “She regularly receives accolades from her teachers as the most outstanding student and is praised regularly for her hard work and dedication in all of her pursuits,” Latham said. She continued, “Barrett is not only a bright young student eager to do well, but she settles for nothing short of perfection in her work.” Latham also described Boyd as having determination and a sense of responsibility.
Boyd has served on the Student Council during her high school career and, as a junior, served as the council’s historian. She was also involved in debate and came in sixth in the district. In Boyd’s involvement in the GHS Soccer Team, she was the JV Captain in 2020, the varsity starter 2021-2023, and the varsity captain in 2023. In track, Boyd was a regional qualifier 2021-2023, regional medalist in 2022 and 2023, a state qualifier in 2023, and came in 5th place in 4A pole vault.
Boyd is currently the president of the National Honor Society 2023-2024 and has a 4.3 grade point average.
Bethany Penrod was nominated by teacher Bonnie Latham who described her as having a passionate drive, determination, and a sense of responsibility. “Bethany juggles and thrives in multiple college courses coupled with honors courses where the rigor and expectations are extremely high,” Latham said. She continued, “Bethany has a servant’s heart and is an incredibly sweet and caring soul. She is respectful, and a thoughtful young woman,” she said.
Penrod has served on the Student Council during her high school career, serving as the parliamentarian as a junior and as vice president as a senior. In her four years of high school, Penrod has participated on the GHS Soccer team where she was Newcomer of the Year in ninth grade, Honorable Mention in tenth grade, Second Team – All District in eleventh grade, and Captain as a senior. In Track and Cross Country, she was a regional qualifier.
Penrod is currently the vice president of the National Honor Society and has a 4.1 grade point average.
