Who's Number 1?

Record editor

Knowing that grades aren't always motivation enough for their students, teachers at South Whidbey High School made a special effort this week to thank the kids who make school fun for them.

At an all-school assembly, the teachers recognized their "Number 1" students -- kids who not only do well in their school work, but who also inspire the students around them.

Physical education teacher Mick Heggenes gave the longest introduction of his "Number 1" student. Telling a fictional story about an optimist placed in a room filled with horse manure, he said his top student, Sara Hezel, is the sort who would walk into the room with a shovel and make a bad situation good.

"Sara is the kind of student who would just keep digging and say 'With all this horse manure, there's got to be a pony in here somewhere,'" Heggenes said.

The hour the student body took away from class to hear stories like this in the school's gymnasium was a time for pats on the back and a few hugs between teachers and students.

Teacher Rich Conover named two "Number 1" students from his class. First he called out for sophomore Katie Riggs, whom he credited for inspiring freshman Tyler Rueth. In turn, he said, both were example students in his classroom.

The biggest "Number 1" winner of the day -- literally -- was senior Culley Lehman. Called a "mountain" of a student by teacher Dennis Hunter, Lehman -- who was by far the largest player on the Falcon football team last fall -- was surprised to be honored in front of his schoolmates.

"It felt pretty good," he said.

Other students to get recognition from teachers included Zanna Burgess, Simon Dragon, Jennifer Gabelein, Brianna Harttlett, Holland Timmins and Natalie Baublitz. In all, 29 students received "Number 1" awards.

Center stage at the assembly also belonged to American Legion Boys Nation participant Bryce Hanson, more than 100 students who earned PTSA academic excellent awards, students in the high school's DECA program, five Falcon wrestlers headed for this weekend's state tournament and members of the Falcon Knowledge Bowl team.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.