BUGs at Chester Academy (It's a good thing, really)

Chester — Fifty-four Chester Middle School students received BUG Awards last week, thanks to the Bring Up Grades program, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. The program rewards students for improving their grades 10 points in one marking period. “This award is tough to get,” said middle school Principal Ernest Jackson. “It’s harder than the Honor Roll since you have to be nominated by your teacher. It is won by effort.” Effort was definitely the theme at Chester Academy as all middle school students assembled to honor the BUG recipients, as well as those who can’t go up 10 points because they already have all As. A special guest speaker, Kelley Jelinski, a reporter for News 12 Hudson Valley, spoke to the students about staying focused and being committed. “Being a good student helped me stay focused,” said Jelinski. “It wasn’t the grades that I handed over so much as it was the person I became. It was the commitment I learned.” Sandy Naglar, the president of the middle school’s Parent Teacher Student Association, announced the recipients, who came up and received their awards, then shook hands with the district superintendent, Helen Anne Livingston, Jackson, and Jelinski. After the ceremony, all BUG recipients and those with all As went to the cafeteria for refreshments. The tables also turned for Jelinski, who became the subject of interviews with several students. “Keep focused,” Jelinski told the students. “Keep your momentum going.” BUG Award recipients Sixth Graders Andrew Perez, Gabrielle Clarke, Ashley Luciano, Brian Danilak, Cecelia Edwards, Samantha Curtis, Dante Gonzalez, Melody Dawson, Duncan Mauermeyer, Eric Sambts, Maggie Feldman, Fernando Gavilanez, Heather Miller, Justin Ledoux, Kassandra Bonilla, Kyle Pacheco, Lawrence young, Louisa Chan, Maura Denisia, Peter Gorga, Sara Miller, Ariana Pasaran, Sano Misumi, Athena Grohl, Mick McVeigh, Frazier Zaire. Seventh Graders Brian Dudgeon, Carly Jensen, Julie Sebastian, Lindsy Gilmore, Thomas Atkin, Valery Familia, Brendan Robbins, Brian Almodovar, Cory Thomas, Jalisa Zayas, Jasmine Hudson, Kain Kipp, Max Economos, Nick Thomas Billy Bukowski, Kayele Zink Eighth Graders Blaze Corter, Kelly Quirke, Karly Sambets, Anna Colla, Kayla Cormack, Nicole Green, Joselyn Rivera, Paul Siriotis, Katelyn Smith, Justin Straub, Kelly Thomas Cody Utter All As Sixth Graders Alexandria Alonso, Easley Billi, Marcella Brosnan, Owen Burke, Mackenzie Conklin, Erin Dunn, Brady Evan, Janet Gleeson, Emily Johnson, Kasey Palmer, Maddison Valentine, Marcella Martinez, Matthew McKay Seventh Graders Alizay Baig, Mike Cassano, Carly Jensen, Heejung Kim, Andrew McCarthy, Taylor Newsome, Bhargav Patel, Bridget Rooney, Julie Sebastian, Michael Suazo, Maria Vinueza Eighth Graders Mary Kate Benedict, Latazia Cannon, John Curry, Nick Dvorak, Agustin Erdaide, Leanne Jankelunas, Andrew Lakis, Anthony Ognibene, Marley Vil.