Principal David Wright and StuCo Sponsor Dena Schimming walked up to the podium with red and black certificates in their hands. Statues and awards lined the entrance hallway, and dozens of baskets for auction stood to the the side of the decorated tables, where hundreds of seniors and parents ate the homemade dinner served by Student Council. Few students dared to wear only a T-shirt and jeans to the event, where almost every senior got to see talk with peers and their parents. But now, talking had ended.
Mr. Wright lifted the microphone and explained the creation of this banquet, an event where the whole staff gets to come together and honor the senior class by giving special teacher-nominated awards to students. He explained how Legacy always does a great job at praising the athletes, the artists and the scholars. But the staff formed this banquet to celebrate the good students and good people found throughout the senior class.
The first award presented was the Humanitarian Award, described by Mr. Wright as “given to students who perform selfless acts for the betterment of the campus.” Applause arose throughout the cafeteria as River Holley and Sophie Smith accepted the awards. Next came the Character Award, given to Robert Green and Kat Elvrom for “consistently demonstrating maturity and sensitivity toward school issues.”
The Determination Award, given for students who overcome “personal endeavors with great courage and strength,” was given to Joe Musselman, who sat at the very front table, and Winnie Ileso, who had to walk from the very back with crutches. Mr. Wright met her halfway to hand her the red certificate. Friends and family continued to clap as Ileso returned to her chair and Mr. Wright returned to the podium. Katie Sparks and Cameron Davis came up next to receive the Atta Bronco Award, given for “accomplished goals,” said by Mr. Wright as he continued to explain and distribute the awards with vigor.
“Personifying a positive attitude in all aspects of life” earned Tyler Walker and Kara Steward the Representation Award, for which Steward was not present but Walker seemed extremely thankful and proud. “Bronco Spirit through and through” could be seen clearly as Katie Clark and Darius Moore accepted the Bronco Award. Clark humbly took the certificate and returned to her table, but Moore took as much time in the spotlight as possible, pretending to wipe tears from his eyes as Mr. Wright handed over the certificate.
“You’d think he was in drama or something,” Mr. Wright said as Moore walked away.
Tamrha Echols and National Merit Scholar Finalist Daniel Goodwin received the Scholar Award for making “great academic achievements.” To complement this award was the Comeback Kid Award, given to students for making “great academic strides to improve their school record and career.” Eric Williams and Misti Ryerson received the honor.
Possibly the night’s largest moment of laughter and applause came when StuCo President Aaron St. John jumped out of his chair to accept the Integrity Award, presented for a student who “does the right thing when faced with morally challenging issues.” Kara Steward also received the award. For “inspiring others to do better in their lives, whether through academics or social issues,” Taylor Cockrell and Riley Reidmiller were given the Inspiration Award, both with wide smiles on their faces. As Cockrell walked back to his seat, St. John gave him a loud high five.
The last award of the night, the Principal’s Award, was preceded by a long and heartfelt monologue describing the importance of the award and how difficult a time Mr. Wright has choosing the recipient.
“Sometimes I wish we had never issued this award,” he said. “It’s so difficult to pick someone who rings true to me. It’s so easy for students to dart away from the principal and never talk to him, but not these kids. If there was a key to this school, here is who I’d give it to.”
Applause and cheers sounded for the last time of the night as the high honor was proudly awarded to River Holley and Kat Elvrom, two students who seemed very surprised, very ecstatic, and who now had proof they had made the most of their senior year.
