Wildcat Win drawing recognizes remote responsibility with fortune and fame

“Wiki-wiki-wiki-Wildcat Wednesday!!!!” It’s every student’s dream to one day become a lucky recipient of fortune and fame, and with the recent Wildcat Win drawing, this dream came true for 50 students who demonstrated remote responsibility.

The idea behind the drawing a few weeks ago started because of a goal of Assistant Principal Cory Beaulieu and his colleagues: acknowledging students for their perseverance during virtual learning. 

“We thought about those people who, despite everything, worked really hard to get everything done,” he said. “And it doesn’t mean they had to get straight A’s, but they did it. They were always there, and they were always turning things in.”

Considering this year’s lack of human interaction, Dean of Students Shayna Reynard wanted the students would be rewarded openly. 

“The hope was that they would be recognizing students in a public way and encourage others who may not have been nominated so they could work up to that in the future,” she said. 

Not having been informed of her nomination, senior Rebecca Zier was delighted to hear her name called over the speaker. Awarded a $10 Kwik Trip gift card, this was her first time ever being recognized during her time as a Wildcat. 

“I was surprised to hear that I won,” she said. “Drawings like these give the students a reason to follow the Wildcat Way, which is especially important while we are in hybrid learning.”

Freshman Keagan Potter won a $10 gift card to Starbucks and enjoyed the feeling of being appreciated by her teacher and being noticed for her hard work. 

“It was surprising but really nice to know that a teacher was thinking about me as a student,” she said. 

Other students like sophomore Majeed Abbara were excited for drawing and looked forward to hearing the announcements each day to listen for winners. Abbara chose a $10 Kwik Trip gift card for his reward. 

“It felt amazing to win a prize out of thousands of students, and I was surprised that I won,” he said.

The Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) team worked with the Student Council and the Wildcat Café to fund the initiative. Recipient of the grand prize, senior Alice Probst, was elated to win the coveted JBL Speaker system.

“I understand it costs the school to give out prizes like this, but it's a good motivator and definitely made my family’s and my day,” she said. 

The PBIS team specifically aimed to nominate students based on their perseverance instead of only their grades. 

“We really wanted to make sure that it wasn’t just based on ability but that it was based on those characteristics of hard work, perseverance, determination, and self-advocacy,” said Reynard.

Physical Education teacher Gillian Pakula enjoyed the opportunity to congratulate those who did the right thing but often did not receive recognition. 

“Oftentimes, we pay attention to the students that misbehave because they need the help and extra support,” she said. “But, in reality, the celebration should be about those who overcome and do well because that is what they are supposed to do.”

By K. Ambati, A. Eaton

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue

February 26th, 2021