The Student Council of Gowanda High School named seven outstanding Panthers as Students of the Month for October.

Honorees are selected based on the following attributes – collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity – otherwise known as The Four C’s. These skills and characteristics are central to the district’s mission and values.

— Devan Giambrone for collaboration: “Devan has been truly engaged with the content I’ve created for her this year, consistently bringing both curiosity and enthusiasm to every class discussion and group project. Her excellent grades reflect not only her intellect but also her remarkable work ethic, which, along with her excellent attendance and respectful behavior, make her a role model for her peers. Devan’s inquisitive nature drives her to ask insightful questions, enhancing the learning experience for everyone. It was her idea to create a class debate project. Her positive influence and natural ability to inspire others make her an invaluable presence in the classroom, and her collaboration skills set a high standard for our school community.” – Mr. David Bohn, social studies teacher.

— Isabella Gill for creativity: “Izzy is always coming into the art room in her free time to work on projects. She has new and creative ideas and is constantly ready and willing to work. Izzy takes on new challenges and uses creative problem solving to narrow down her ideas!” – Ms. Shelby Desantis, art teacher.

— Alexander Hammond for communication: “Zander is a model Earth Science student. He is the “go-to” person when no other student can come up with an answer. He eagerly participates in class and willingly shares his thoughts and life experiences with his classmates. Zander also enjoys connecting on a more personal level with his teachers.” – Mr. Scott Barto, science teacher.

— Jeffrey Whipple for critical thinking: “Jeffrey is a Spanish 4 student who takes the concepts he knows and applies them to new material. He is a dedicated Duolingo user and his has advanced his language skills through self-motivation. Since teaching is a great way to solidify what you have learned, he is always willing to help other students with their verb conjugation skills. JJ often shares his methods for remembering verbs and vocabulary. He is a positive influence on his class. His cooperation and willingness to learn are much appreciated.” – Ms. Barb Dempsey, language teacher.

— Alyssa Ruzycki for critical thinking: “Alyssa’s writing and projects reflect originality, insight, and intelligence. Her college application essay offered a thoughtful reflection of recognizing her own strengths and giving herself credit for hard work. Alyssa’s work during our media literacy unit showed her understanding of the algorithms and infrastructure that has created the social media monster. Alyssa sets a high standard for herself and, ultimately, this has a positive impact on the class as a whole.” – Ms. Lauren Giancola, English teacher.

— Richard (Willow) Kuras for critical thinking: “Their ability to figure out problems and problem solve is excellent. Willow is also striving to challenge themself in and out of the classroom. They will even go above by asking to work on additional problems to push them further. Willow is a great student!” – Ms. Randi Dauogeuang, math teacher.

— Seth Geiger for collaboration: “Seth is always positive, inclusive, and willing to help in PE in any way.” – Mr. Brian Denea, physical education teacher.