Marcola School District Board Members want to recognize our students monthly for exceptional performance at school.
ESPY: Exceptional Student Performance this Year – award is given to students doing well academically and having an exceptionally positive attitude about school. They demonstrate respect and responsibility towards staff and their peers. They show courage by not conforming to Peer pressure and refusing to accept anyone who bullies.
The MSD School Board and the District want to recognize these students by celebrating their success at the beginning of each monthly Board Meeting. Students receive a certificate, meet each of our Board members, and their names are announced on the district website.
November 2025 ESPY Winners are;
Paisley Dodge - 4th grade, nominated by Kelsey Smith
Paisley Dodge is a wonderful addition to Marcola Elementary. She is kind, outgoing, and energetic, as well as a hard worker. Paisley gets all of her work done and is great about asking for help when she needs it. She is friendly to everyone, and she's willing to jump in and help when things need to be done. Thank you, Paisley, for showing up with a positive attitude every day!
Emily Ludwig - 7th grade, nominated by MMS Staff
Emily’s teachers consistently describe her as kind, hardworking, and exceptionally talented. Coleen O’Neill (Distefano) shares that Emily is patient, respectful, creative, and a positive role model who “exudes kindness and empathy in all of her actions.” Emily even volunteers to teach art lessons at the elementary school.
Teacher Maddy Rowell highlights Emily’s dedication, humor, and artistic talent, calling her “an ideal candidate for the ESPY Award due to her grit and willingness to work hard even when things feel tough.”
Rob Jerome adds that Emily is “one of the hardest-working students” he has taught and praises her for contributing to a caring classroom environment and enriching discussions.
Emily’s academic performance is equally impressive—she is currently earning all A’s and B’s. She truly stands out as an exceptional student.
Cayson Robinson - 7th grade, nominated by MMS Staff
Cayson is one of the most consistently positive students at Mohawk Middle School. Teacher Rob Jerome shares that “he is always respectful and leads by example.” Cayson can always be counted on to arrive on time, prepared, and ready to learn.
He stands out as a leader through his respectfulness, great attitude, and willingness to help others—especially in math class, where his support is particularly appreciated. This quarter, Cayson has worked diligently in all his classes. Mr. Jerome notes that he “has really improved his effort in turning in assignments and making sure his completed work is high-quality. He submits his work before the due date and is very attentive in class.”
Cayson’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his grades, as he earned all A’s and B’s this quarter. He is a model student whose positivity and effort make Mohawk Middle School a better place.
Mackenlee Wald - 9th grade, nominated by MHS Staff
Mackenlee is hard working, kind, and always represents herself and Mohawk in a positive manner.
In the classroom, Mackenlee is not afraid to take on challenging work, and is focused on learning and improving every day. Mackenlee has terrific attendance, rarely missing class. Her focus in the classroom positively influences her peers during group work and sets an example for others.
Mackenlee stands out from other students for the respect she shows others. She is kind to all students, respectful to all staff, and pleasant to anyone who crosses her path. Her demeanor makes her approachable by others and sets a positive tone in the hallways and classes.
Mackenlee has never been involved in a discipline incident and has never been a part of bullying at Mohawk. She can be counted on by staff and peers to provide only positive contributions to the school environment.
We feel very fortunate to have Mackenlee Wald at Mohawk, and it is a pleasure to recognize her as the November ESPY award winner.
These students are all shining examples of the MSD spirit, and we are thrilled to be able to recognize them for being exceptional students.