Kiwanis honors Terrific Kids

The Shafter Kiwanis Club held their Terrific Kids luncheon on Wednesday, honoring a select group of students from the Richland School District. Each student honored was nominated by their teachers or administration, with every student named embodying the trait for that month. Last month, the characteristic was Enthusiastic.

Students honored from Golden Oak Elementary were Jaylah Ayala and Jesse Panduro. Assistant Principal Jose Montelongo presented the awards, accompanied by Officer Eric Diaz from the Shafter Police Department.

Ivonne Hernandez, Principal of Redwood Elementary School, presented awards to Eliseo Alvarez and Sugey Lopez. Those students, according to Hernandez, best displayed the trait of Enthusiastic from Redwood.

From Sequoia Elementary, Leticia Cota and Luis Varela received the Terrific Kids award. They were presented the awards by Assistant Principal Toni Aguilera.

Richland Junior High's Dean of Students, Mylum Nicholson presented awards to Lyla Almanza Flores and Julissa Acosta.

The students honored, in addition to a free lunch, received other items to commemorate the occasion.

They were honored with a lunch, as well as a host of reward items.

Terrific Kids is a student-recognition program that promotes character development, self-esteem and perseverance. "Terrific" is an acronym for Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive and Capable.

Students work with their classroom teacher to establish goals to improve behavior, peer relationships, attendance or school work. All students who achieve their goals after a specific time are recognized as Terrific Kids.

Recognition includes the presentation of a t-shirt, bumper sticker, certificate and pencils.