Principals from many of the Oxford schools came to the board of education’s Dec. 11 meeting to recognize exceptional students. The students can earn this recognition by excelling in arts, academics or athletics. Many of the students present on Dec. 11 were honored for a mix of the three.

The students all received a certificate of recognition from Superintendent Tim Throne and board President Tom Donnelly.

Parker Mysen

As a fifth-grader at Clear Lake Elementary, Mysen has routinely been a leader. According to principal Brad Bigelow, Mysen has organized a school-wide initiative two years in a row. This year, she organized a water bottle drive that ended up giving over 300 water bottles to Oxford-Orion FISH.

Mysen also gives up her recess once a week to help younger students with reading.

“We’re just extremely proud of Parker,” Bigelow said.

Zoe Kerber

Also a fifth-grader at Clear Lake, Kerber was recognized for doing a research project outside of her normal course load and presenting it to her classmates. Bigelow said Kerber’s teacher reported to him that the presentation was engaging for the other students and impressive of someone Kerber’s age.

Tatum Moore and Sydney Patterson

Both second-graders at Daniel Axford Elementary, Moore and Patterson gave back to education on the world stage in a big way this year. Inspired by a book they read in class, the students approached their principal, Chad Boyd, about helping kids around the world who cannot afford an education. Boyd said the girls wanted to do the project because they believe education can change someone’s life.

This month, Daniel Axford will be hosting a fund-raiser that will benefit the United Nations’ International Children Support Fund.

Max Polumbo

Polumbo, only a third-grader, was recognized for being a leader and force of kindness in the lives of the peers that cross his path during the day. Lakeville Elementary principal Kristin Guinn added that Polumbo can is always seen pushing himself academically and is a self-motivated student.

“He exemplifies principle, he’s a true leader in his classroom each and every day, he leads in a kind and gentle way,” Guinn said.

Sofia Ibarra-Fernandez

Lakeville first-grade student Sofia Ibarra-Fernandez wasn’t present but was spoken highly of by Guinn. She was recognized for being wise beyond her years and being bilingual in Spanish and English at her young age.

“Sofia is one of those first graders who is wise beyond her years,” Guinn said. “She is an old soul.”

Rowland Moore

About a year ago, Leonard Elementary third-grade Moore had trouble annunciating the letter R. Throughout this year, he worked hard and mastered the sound.

But that’s not what he was recognized for. Today, he voluntarily spends extra time helping other students who have trouble annunciating certain sounds.

Rylee Jones

Jones, a fourth-grader at Leonard, befriended a boy who spent a lot of time by himself last year. She and her new friend have since become close and he now has a large circle of friends.

Jones was recognized for stepping out to befriend the boy, who principal Paul McDevitt said was often lonely, and being a strong friend for him. Jones spends her lunch with him several times a week, as he has a noise sensitivity and often has to eat lunch away from the other kids.

“Ryley shows empathy in the true meaning of the word,” McDevitt said.”She’s able to understand another person’s perspective.”

Payton and Cayden Canham

Oxford Elementary students Payton and Cayden, who are in the fourth and fifth grades, respectively, were the night’s only brother-sister duo. They both routinely receive OES Student of the Month honors, which is given to them by their peers, and are both examples in and out of the classroom.

Cayden in particular was recognized for being an example of kindness to other students by spending his recess time inside so a wheelchair-bound student doesn’t spend recess alone.

OMS All-State choir students

Nine ladies from Oxford Middle School earned All-State choir accolades this year and were recognized by their principal Dacia Beazley. The ladies were Layni Chaisson, Savannah Feltrin, Jordyn Gill, Hailey May, Morgan McGuire, Mackayla McNimara, Brianna Penzienn, Serena Poynter, Imani Tenorio-Pindter and Sophia Ziegler.

Beazley noted that Ziegler will be studying abroad next semester in Germany in partnership with Oxford Virtual Academy.

“They’ve been working hard and they continue to work hard,” Beazley said.

OMS All-State orchestra and band students

For what Beazley believes is the first time in Oxford history, an OMS student was given All-State orchestra honors. Norah Chapa made OMS history with her violin skills as a eighth-grader.

For the All-State band, eighth-grader Nathan Forgaciu was selected for his talents on the trumpet.

OMS Cross Country program

Rounding out the students from OMS, several athletes were given accolades. The boys’ cross country team, who earned the division and county titles while going undefeated this fall, were recognized in whole. The boys were Abdullah Ali, Jake Bunting, Jack Dysarz, Kyle DiMalanta, Jack Bauman, Aaron Schiller. Back row, Xavier Clark, Dylan Stone, Jason Lavender and Hunter Burbas.

To represent the ladies’ team, eighth-grader Addison Lester was brought up for leading the girls to fifth place in the county meet this fall.

Maddie Waligora

Waligora, an OVA senior, has excelled in the gym and in the classroom. A three-time member of the United States Junior Olympic gymnastics team, she has been a dominant force in her sport for years. But, she is also a frequent face on OVA’s honor roll list.

“Maddie is an incredible athlete, kind and a fierce competitor,” OVA principal Janet Schell said.

Currently, Waligora plans to attend the University of Alabama as a member of the school’s gymnastics team.

Alex Lundy

Lundy, an Oxford Schools Early College sophomore, was recognized as one of the shining stars of the OVA program. A 100 percent online student from fifth grade to ninth grade, he excels academically.

Lundy is also very active in the National Honor Society, the robotics program and routinely impresses his college professors at Macomb Community College.

Megan Bouren

Still just a junior at OSEC, Bouren has already signed a letter of intent to play soccer at Saginaw Valley State University in 2020.

Aside from her athletic accomplishments, Bouren was recognized for her exceptional grades and anti-bullying efforts.

OHS advanced dance conservatory

When they travelled to the Oakland Dance Festival, Oxford High School’s advanced dance conservatory captured the first place spot for the second year in a row against 70 other schools. The ladies in the conservatory are Alexa Mirvosky, Clara Zawadzki, Grace Kitching, Megan Vernier, Allison Zardus, Hannah Valley and Ciara Bell.

OHS All-State band and orchestra students

Three seniors from OHS’s music program were chosen for the all-state honors and show promise to pursue music beyond grade school. Nadia Smith shows advanced skill in orchestra on the viola and will play at the Michigan Music Festival next year.

On the band end, Tyler Dulinski was chosen for his trombone skills and Nicholas Trush was picked for his bassoon and trombone talents. Both boys have received offers to play with the Central Michigan University honors band next year.

Paige Palmer

Palmer, a senior at OHS, is among the school’s top academics. Since kindergarten, she has received straight A’s and currently takes a slew of Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Outside of classes, she plays violin and earned first chair in the Youth Orchestra, has clocked over 80 hours of community service hours and is an active Girl Scout. She is currently entertaining a number of college offers.

“She is a very well-rounded young lady who works her butt off,” OHS principal Steven Wolf said.

McKenzie Miller

Also among OHS’ brightest is Miller. Like Palmer, she has also maintained straight A’s since kindergarten. Miller is currently enrolled in a number of advanced classes and has a 4.2 grade point average.

Outside of class, Miller regularly tutors middle school students, is the vice president of the National Honor Society at OHS, has lettered in volleyball four times and has lettered in softball three times. When it comes to college, she has a number of offers.

All-State academic athletes

Two of OHS’s fall teams received all-state, all-academic honors at the semester’s end. Boys’ tennis, made up of Gabe Smith, Nolan Kutchey, Brenden Hamari, Lauren Opalewski, Hayden Durant, Brock Heilig, Trevor Wallace, Andrew Waddell, Cameron Mumbrue, Chase Maier, Dane VonAllmen and Silas VonAllmen received the honor for having every athlete having a GPA above 3.25.

The volleyball team also earned the accolades for each girl having a GPA at or above 3.3. The fall’s ladies were McKenzie Miller, Alyssa DeTone, Raegan Bell, Anna Ibarra, Anna Trbovich, Anna Peruski, Peyton Krajcarski, Gabrielle Comito, Madelyn Weiss, Alexia Kingham, Catherine Dobies, Sydney Richter, Emma LeBarge and Molly Miller

Varsity girls’ swim and dive

Four ladies from OHS’s varsity swim and dive team were recognized by their coach, Jackie Rank, for their record-setting seasons. All four ladies made an appearance at the state finals this fall and led the Wildcats in many of their meets. The four girls were Cali Schnur, Jenna Fistler, Ashely Weltyk and Keira Veltigian.

Veltigian, the only senior in the group, intends to dive next year in Eastern Michigan University’s D1 program.

John Bagans

Bagans, a senior, was one of the cross country team’s fastest this fall and was recognized by cross country coach Norman Petersimes. At the state finals, Bagans ran the fifth fastest time in Oxford History.

He is also currently a captain on the boys’ swim and dive team.