BROWNSTOWN — Friendly, funny, fashionable.

Prompt, productive, pleasant. Genuine, hardworking, honest.

Always dependable. Infectious smile and laugh. Doing what is right even when it’s not popular. Epitome of a student-athlete.

These descriptions were among those shared by faculty members in their nominations for the Brownstown Central High School VIP Breakfast.

During the early morning event April 20 in the school’s cafeteria, 36 students were selected by 35 teachers and staff to attend the breakfast with their parents or guardians. It wasn’t until they arrived there, though, that they knew who chose them.

“These students have been recognized by different teachers and staff members for various contributions to the school,” Assistant Principal Maria Conklin said during the program following breakfast.

“The students just found out this morning who nominated them. If they don’t know, it’s who is sitting with you at your table,” she said, drawing laughter from the crowd. “Now, they will figure out why they were nominated.”

Each faculty member could choose one student and write up to 80 words about them to be read during the breakfast, where they walked up one at a time to receive a certificate from Principal Joe Sheffer.

Held since 2007, the VIP Breakfast recognizes students for accomplishments or efforts that demonstrate excellence in attitude or achievements that have enhanced the classroom, the school or the individual student.

Selection can be based on school involvement and academics, but a letter grade should not be the only criterion, as there should be something more, like outstanding leadership or participation in class, significant academic improvement or a project obviously superior in quality or effort.

Selection also can be based on nonacademics but should recognize that the student has contributed significantly to his or her growth or the welfare of the teacher, other students or the school. That could include attitude or effort that makes the class run more smoothly, helping the teacher or other students, offering new ideas, club leadership or significant club involvement.

Essentially, anything within the conduct of the school that the faculty member considers worthy of special recognition qualifies.

Each year, one student is picked by Sheffer, which is a special honor coming from the principal. This year, it was senior Devin Patton.

“I found out the same way I found out about the prom. They mailed me a letter about it,” he said. “I just looked at my dad and I was like, ‘I got chosen for the VIP thing,’ and we just filled it out.”

He had an inkling it was Sheffer who nominated him.

“Awhile ago, Mr. Sheffer was like, ‘You’re on track for a good award. I won’t tell you. Just know you are,’” Patton said. “Just in my head, I put two and two together, and Mr. Sheffer nominated me.”

During his high school career, Patton said Sheffer has been a good principal.

“He’ll be on your side,” he said. “It makes it a lot nicer because some principals and some faculty aren’t quite like that, so it makes it nicer when you can sit down and talk to the faculty.”

The first student to be recognized during the breakfast was senior Adam Schocke. He was chosen by Dave Benter, who not only is a teacher at the school but also is the boys basketball head coach. Schocke was the team’s manager all four years.

“Spending time with the players and getting in for free,” Schocke said, smiling, when asked what he liked about filling that role.

The fact that Benter chose him for the VIP award meant a lot to Schocke.

“He’s a good coach, and he treats everyone the same,” he said.

While Brooklenn Cromer also is a senior, this is her first year at BCHS. Ironically, she was chosen as a VIP by a first-year teacher, Brian Savilla.

“It makes me feel really good because obviously, I made an impact on him, and it’s cool because it’s both our first year here, and out of everyone, he chose me,” Cromer said.

She had Savilla for U.S. history.

“He was very easy to talk to,” she said. “He was like one of those teachers that you could tell anything to and you could always go to him for any advice.”

The students appreciate the school continuing the long tradition of the VIP Breakfast.

“It gives students more of a reason to want to be good and want to achieve stuff so they can be recognized,” Patton said.

“I think it makes kids feel really good, and they strive to do more because they’ve been recognized that their good-doings are good, so they are going to keep doing good-doings,” Cromer said.

After all of the VIPs stood up at the end of the program to be recognized, Conklin shared some closing thoughts.

“I think these students are awesome,” she said. “I think this is a great school, and all of us here today are here to celebrate these very important people. They are hardworking, kind, caring, punctual, dependable, friendly, respectful. I can keep going with the adjectives, but I think kids want to get to class.”

These things don’t just happen on their own, Conklin said.

“These are traits and characteristics taught and reinforced at home by parents, extended family and friends of the students,” she said before encouraging the students to give their families a round of applause.

“Thank you again for instilling these great values within these students,” Conklin said. “Also, thank you for attending today. I know waking up early wasn’t probably on your list for a Thursday morning, but thanks again. Parents, guardians, extended family and students, thank you so much for attending.”

2023 Brownstown Central High School VIP Breakfast 

(Staff member listed first, student listed second)

Dave Benter: Adam Schocke

Richard Branaman: Raegan Ratliff

Stephanie Brock: Emily Barnes

Catherine Caudill: Hailey Bowman

Luke Cobb: Luke Imlay

Maria Conklin: Madaline Schepman

Sharon DeHart: Chloe Wagner

Randy Greene: Camryn Thompson

Alisha Griffin: Tyler Charles

Kevin Gwin: Madison Edwards

Blake Hackman: Cooper Robinson

Josie Hackman: Jaren Cunningham

Stephanie Hackman: Smith Hackman

Duane Higgs: Conner Wynn

Jeanette Kendall: Mia Fritsche

Derrick Koch: Chance Ratliff and Shane Ratliff

Nancy Manuel: Lane Steward

Reed May: Carson Darlage

Brittany Neal: Lane Zike

Tawnya Ollmann: Maddy Hackman

Andrea Pendleton: Keetan Burcham-Jones

Melanie Preston: Audrey Scarlett

Kasey Proehl: Jayse Davis

Robb Reynolds: Emma Hughbanks

Karla Rieckers: Kalee Borden

Brian Savilla: Brooklenn Cromer

Dan Schwartz: Connor Gwin

Joe Sheffer: Devin Patton

Ashley Shoemaker: Donovan Christopher

Angie Sibrel: Rylin Huddleston

Lee Ann Silence: Briana Barker

Emily Sommers: Gavin Jaynes

Sandra Warren: Megan VonDielingen

Sara Welden: William Campbell

Paula Workman: Addisyn Osborne