2021 Award Winners
At Jostens Renaissance we believe that when you honor what it is good, more good will come because of it. We also believe that sharing the successes of others is inspirational because it plants seeds of hope and ideas for others to use as a springboard. So this year we are honoring great things educators and student leaders have done prior to and during the pandemic, and it is our hope that you will be inspired with a few ideas you can take back to your school and make your own.
Congratulations to this year’s Renny Award winners, who each excelled in in a specific area of excellence based on the Renaissance Rs!
RECOGNITION
Sequoia Middle School
Sequoia Middle School used technology to collect shout-outs from staffulty and students and then create celebration videos for Student and Staffulty of the Month. This pivot allowed them to collect video testimonials for the recipients to cherish, and it allowed them to promote the great people within their school to their broader community by using social media.
Congratulations Sequoia Middle School for modeling the importance of recognition.
REINFORCEMENT
North Stafford High School
North Stafford High School, a longtime Renaissance school, refused to give up their pep rallies because they were so important to their school culture. Despite the obstacles of COVID, they continued to hold regular pep rallies virtually and they found it was a great way to include their community members, rather than limiting them to students and teachers.
Congratulations North Stafford High School on reinforcing your school’s values within your community.
REWARD
La Quinta Middle School STEM Academy
La Quinta Middle School STEM Academy still found a way to host quarterly rallies in which they rewarded all sorts of students and teachers during COVID. These rallies were streamed over Zoom and included a full-fledged parade for those students being honored where they received gifts of appreciation.
Congratulations La Quinta Middle School STEM Academy for expanding existing rewards and developing new ones for a virtual environment.
RESULTS
Newberg High School
Newberg High School has created a support system for individual students that will no doubt carry the most important result of all – their own wellbeing. They opened up three offices on their campus and hired three therapists to conduct individual, family/group counseling and an educational center, now known as the Newberg High School Wellness Center.
Congratulations Newberg High School for focusing on mental health in a tangible way that resulted in a new resource for students.
RELATIONSHIPS
Desert Ridge Academy
This past year, Desert Ridge Academy started by offering nine clubs online during distance learning. Students asked for more clubs to connect over similar interests, so they started eleven more clubs – during a pandemic! All were board-approved and actively meeting virtually as they moved to hybrid education. They also gave 6th graders and new students mentors, and held 10 meetings to team-build and help each other through the year.
Congratulations to Desert Ridge Academy for listening to students’ needs and facilitating relationships during distance learning.