EXETER – The Wyoming Area Catholic School (WACS) Class of 1980 handed out the second annual Kindness Award to students who best exemplify the meaning of the honor.
The Jernigan sisters, Halle, 12, seventh grade; Lynnden, 11, fifth grade; and Elaina, 7, second grade, have been chosen the 2024 recipients for their acts of kindness and caring, in a brief ceremony on Friday, Feb. 16, at WACS. The children will split a $500 scholarship from the Class of ‘80.
School principal Eileen Rishcoff is a strong advocate for being kind and carrying it through with random acts of kindness.
“Well, it’s my mantra, I say it at the end of every day (at school),” Rishcoff said. “I tell them to get their homework done and most importantly please be kind to everyone. It’s what I believe in. It has a special meaning to me, and I learned from my mom, she was an amazing woman.
Andrew Vitek, a WACS 1980 class member, addressed the students on why the scholarship was created. He admitted not being kind to other students when he was at WACS, hoping the Kindness Award would bring awareness in creating a nicer environment at school.
“I feel happy about it because I didn’t know everybody thought I was that kind to them,” Lynnden said, on receiving the award. “I try my best to be really kind, and I’m just happy about the award that we get a $500 scholarship.”
Halle said she was anxious about getting the award.
“I was nervous going up there (to get the award), but I feel good now and I feel important,” Halle said. “Acting kind is something both my parents taught me to do.”
Elaina was equally surprised about receiving the award.
“I was excited and I didn’t even know I won the award,” Elaina stated. “I’ve been kind to my class.
Latoya Jernigan, mother of the three students, said she was surprised about the award only receiving the word the day before the ceremony.
“I got an email from Mrs. Rishcoff saying the girls were going to be awarded the scholarship,” Jernigan said. “I’m grateful and I’m so appreciative that they come to school and express kindness and gratitude. It made me tear up because you don’t know how your child behaves once they leave your presence.”
The Jernigan sisters are in their third year at WACS and their parents believe it’s the best environment for them.
“They really love it here and it’s like family,” Jernigan added. “Both my husband and I went to Catholic school. It’s pretty much what you want to do with your children to instill the same values as you had when you were growing up.”