On Thursday, November 14, Ms. Gill entered the senior Creative Writing class with an exciting announcement: she had nominated senior Creative Writer Momo Sutton to become an Osceola School District Winner of the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Sutton was recognized for this honor during the Osceola School District Board meeting on November 19. At the board meeting she received high praise from Ms. Gill, who said, “Momo’s work ethic in her academics is equally matched by her brilliant creative attention to detail within her writings as a Creative Writing major and her desire and pursuit of perfection within her craft. She is unparalleled by modern day students.” Sutton is what many of her teachers and peers would call a perfectionist. She will spend countless hours on her work until she is satisfied with the results.
Sutton has many accomplishments that make her a worthy candidate. There are a number of publications under her belt, she is Disney Dreamer and Doer essay contest winner, and she earned a position on the team USA Paralympic emerging swimmers’ team. She was even invited to the sports reality TV series All-Round Champion.
When Mr. Capley, her teacher of seven years now, heard the news, he was thrilled. “It’s such a good feeling when your students achieve these recognitions and receive accolades and awards because you are like a pebble on their path and on their journey,” he says, “I think it’s important to recognize that students do the work, the teachers can only support, provide guidance, offer opportunities… Momo has been the one to throw herself into everything, heart and soul, and that’s really what makes me so happy and proud.”
The board room was especially packed that night, since new board members were inducted and sworn in before Sutton and the others received their recognition. She had tough competition with the other nominees, but when it came down to the type of students that these recognitions look for, what they do, how they carry themselves and consistency, in the words of Mr. Capley, “ultimately Momo just stands tall.”
The other student chosen as the district winner, Jayden Graham from Neo City, and other nominees were also recognized. Each student received a certificate and medallion. Ms. McBride, a long-time supporter of Sutton, brought signs to the board meeting with the phrase “OCSA says GO! Momo GO!”
As someone who has received many accolades, especially for her swimming, being honored like this was nothing new to her. It was when she first walked into the crowded room that she realized she was receiving such a high level of academic recognition. “I was kind of nervous,” said Momo in an interview. “I don’t know what for, I just stood there and shook hands.”
After the board meeting, Sutton enjoyed dessert before dinner at Bruster’s Ice Cream with a giant waffle cone. “I don’t remember what flavor I had but I remember it was good. It was something I hadn’t tried before,” she mentions. Her willingness to try new things is another addition to the list of her outstanding qualities.
Overall, Momo’s hard work and positive spirit make this accolade well earned. Go, Momo, go!
