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With her head down, the girl rushed through the doors of Evergreen Junior High on Friday, 20 minutes late for class.
Principal Mark Grant, who stands at the front of the school greeting students each morning, could have scolded her. Instead, he softly asked if she was all right.
She briefly raised her head, revealing tear-filled eyes, and silently nodded as she hurried to class.
"I don't ever yell at them because I think they've already had a bad day," Grant said of late students. His own eyes grew glossy as he explained.
Since Grant arrived at Evergreen five years ago, he has worked toward one main goal: to make sure students know that he and their teachers truly care about them. It's an attitude that helped Grant win a Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education this year. Typically, 10 Utah teachers, administrators and school volunteers win the $10,000 awards each year.
Those who nominated the principal for the award said he has turned Evergreen around. Before he took over, the school had a bad reputation and lower test scores. Hundreds of its students chose to go to other district schools. Now, five years later, students have returned and test scores have improved significantly.
Grant has made academic changes — implementing classes for at-risk students, expanding gifted and talented offerings, starting character education classes, and adding technology — but he said above all else, caring and positivity have led to the school's improvement.
"When kids know someone cares about them the academics and other stuff falls right into place," Grant said. "If kids feel good about themselves, they do better."
To get his message across, Grant and the PTA choose a school theme each year meant to uplift students. This year's theme, "Take a Stand," is emblazoned in neon green across black T-shirts and on rubber wristbands given to all students, paid for mostly with character education grants. If students lose or break the wristbands, they must do two hours of community service to get new ones. Once a month, students who remember to wear the T-shirts or wristbands are recognized at school assemblies for standing up for what's right.
Seventh-grader Kevin Hyde said he has seen the motto in action. When a student was bullied earlier in the year, a group of kids wearing the shirts stepped in to stop it, he said.
"It's so cool to be around people taking a stand," said Hyde, who called Grant "the best principal ever."
Grant said junior high can be a tough time for kids, and not everyone can be a cheerleader or star basketball player. But everyone can wear a wristband and be recognized for taking a stand, he said.
"Mr. Grant has made such a difference at Evergreen Junior High," said parent Nan Ellsworth, who has had five children attend the school over the years and is a former chairwoman of the school community council. "He's caring and has made the whole atmosphere at the school change into one where they really are motivated to be all they can be and make a difference for others."
English and journalism teacher Nancy Crockett, who nominated Grant for the award, said he has built morale among students and teachers. She said her best experiences as an educator have been under Grant.
Grant attributes the school's success to his staff. He said the school's teachers were already great before he got there, and they, like the students, just needed to know they were valued.
"It's all about teachers," Grant said. "I wanted them to know I knew teaching was a hard job, so when they'd go out of their way to be nice to kids and do extracurriculars, I always made sure they knew I appreciated it."
Ultimately, Grant said he'll gauge the school's success by the types of individuals it produces.
"When [people] ask us what kind of junior high Evergreen is, we all get a smile on our face and say, 'I'll tell you in 10 or 20 years,'" Grant said. Burke R. Staheli • Principal, Washington Elementary, Washington District
"I would not have my kids at any other school due to Mr. Staheli's work ethic as a principal. My kids can't stop talking about him. He uplifts, always makes the best comments, and never has a bad thing to say about any of his staff and of course any of his students. He is the best [principal] by far that I have ever worked for." — Heather Wade, parent, computer aide
David M. Beck • Orchestra teacher, Pleasant Grove Junior High and Pleasant Grove High, Alpine District
"I can honestly say he taught me everything I know about the violin. Mr. Beck was my confidence booster and lifeline as I learned both music and life skills from him as I grew through my teenage years. ... While still molding us into one of the best orchestras in the state, he also molded us into the best individuals that we could be." — Joy Laudie, former student
Jane Capizzo • School volunteer, Ferron Elementary, Emery County District
"She is patient and kind especially with my students with special learning needs. The students trust her because they know that she cares and will help them succeed. They each love the VIP attention that 'Grandma Jane' showers on them as she helps them master a new concept." — Lisa Behling, first-grade teacher
James S. Hodges • AP European history, AP politics teacher, social studies department chairman, Brighton High, Canyons District
"While he is opinionated, even somewhat brash, he ensures that every student is able to draw his/her own conclusions on the controversial issues of the day he presents. ... Jim's students are well-versed in the much revered 'Hodges' Bubble Theory' which basically states that one should step out of familiar and comfortable environs to be exposed to diverse views, opinions and cultures." — Jerry S. Christensen, teacher
Linda Lewis • P.E./Drama teacher, Mapleton Junior High, Nebo District
"I have never seen an educator so willing to stop the class and help one person — especially those who have mental and physical ailments — to grow and flourish in her class. Her classroom know-how and her innate skill to provide aid and a sound education to those with handicaps and without has helped me love the teaching atmosphere and want to obtain a degree in which I may teach as well." — Matthew Jones, former student and current Mapleton Junior High theater department intern
Ray Long • principal, Fremont High, Weber District
"As the school principal, Mr. Long is a constant presence in the hallways, talking to students, encouraging students, directing students to class. He has initiated a renewed sense of pride on all levels of the high school experience — pride in personal achievement, pride in keeping the building clean, pride in teacher preparation and lesson delivery, pride in being a true Silverwolf! — Michele Parry, assistant vice principal
Sally Ogilvie • first-grade teacher, Syracuse Elementary, Davis District
"Because of Mrs. Ogilvie's love for nature and science and her sincere desire for her students to learn and succeed, my first-grader developed a lifelong love for science and math. ... Garden Club was a favorite activity for my kids because they were taking part in something that was much bigger than anything they had ever been involved in." — Veronica Johnson, parent
Nyle Russell • Teacher, agriculture education and welding science, Payson High, Nebo District
"Knowing that the traditional agriculture student base was shrinking, Nyle pursued the formation of an on-site animal lab that could be used to house livestock projects for students who had an interest in agriculture but no place to feed and care for animals. ... He has established an outstanding program for animal projects. ... He teaches [students] how to give the needed care and then has the students do the tasks. He doesn't do it for them." — Carl Swenson, principal and parent
Joanne Spencer • Fourth-grade teacher, Bluff Ridge Elementary, Davis District
"Many times when you go into Joanne's classroom, she is covered with plaster of paris, hot glue, paint or salt dough. This is because her students do a lot of hands-on learning. ... Joanne relishes this type of learning, and her students come to love school because it is interesting and exciting every day." — Judy Neyts, teacher Huntsman Awards for Excellence in Education winners
Each year, Karen Huntsman and an awards committee select the winners, typically six teachers, three administrators and one volunteer to receive Huntsman Awards for Excellence in Education. Each winner gets $10,000 from the Huntsman family and will be honored at an awards banquet May 13 Friday. Here are the other nine winners this year and a sampling of what parents, students and colleagues said about them.
Burke R. Staheli • Principal, Washington Elementary, Washington District
"I would not have my kids at any other school due to Mr. Staheli's work ethic as a principal. My kids can't stop talking about him. He uplifts, always makes the best comments, and never has a bad thing to say about any of his staff and of course any of his students. He is the best [principal] by far that I have ever worked for." — Heather Wade, parent, computer aide
David M. Beck • Orchestra teacher, Pleasant Grove Junior High and Pleasant Grove High, Alpine District
"I can honestly say he taught me everything I know about the violin. Mr. Beck was my confidence booster and lifeline as I learned both music and life skills from him as I grew through my teenage years. ... While still molding us into one of the best orchestras in the state, he also molded us into the best individuals that we could be." — Joy Laudie, former student
Jane Capizzo • School volunteer, Ferron Elementary, Emery County District
"She is patient and kind especially with my students with special learning needs. The students trust her because they know that she cares and will help them succeed. They each love the VIP attention that 'Grandma Jane' showers on them as she helps them master a new concept." — Lisa Behling, first-grade teacher
James S. Hodges • AP European history, AP politics teacher, social studies department chairman, Brighton High, Canyons District
"While he is opinionated, even somewhat brash, he ensures that every student is able to draw his/her own conclusions on the controversial issues of the day he presents. ... Jim's students are well versed in the much revered 'Hodges' Bubble Theory' which basically states that one should step out of familiar and comfortable environs to be exposed to diverse views, opinions and cultures." — Jerry S. Christensen, teacher
Linda Lewis • P.E./Drama teacher, Mapleton Junior High, Nebo District
"I have never seen an educator so willing to stop the class and help one person — especially those who have mental and physical ailments — to grow and flourish in her class. Her classroom know-how and her innate skill to provide aid and a sound education to those with handicaps and without has helped me love the teaching atmosphere and want to obtain a degree in which I may teach as well." — Matthew Jones, former student and current Mapleton Junior High theater department intern
Ray Long • principal, Fremont High, Weber District
"As the school principal, Mr. Long is a constant presence in the hallways, talking to students, encouraging students, directing students to class. He has initiated a renewed sense of pride on all levels of the high school experience — pride in personal achievement, pride in keeping the building clean, pride in teacher preparation and lesson delivery, pride in being a true Silverwolf! — Michele Parry, assistant vice principal
Sally Ogilvie • first-grade teacher, Syracuse Elementary, Davis District
"Because of Mrs. Ogilvie's love for nature and science and her sincere desire for her students to learn and succeed, my first grader developed a lifelong love for science and math. ... Garden Club was a favorite activity for my kids because they were taking part in something that was much bigger than anything they had ever been involved in." — Veronica Johnson, parent
Nyle Russell • Teacher, agriculture education and welding science, Payson High, Nebo District
"Knowing that the traditional agriculture student base was shrinking, Nyle pursued the formation of an on-site animal lab that could be used to house livestock projects for students who had an interest in agriculture but no place to feed and care for animals. ... He has established an outstanding program for animal projects. ... He teaches [students] how to give the needed care and then has the students do the tasks. He doesn't do it for them." — Carl Swenson, principal and parent
Joanne Spencer • Fourth-grade teacher, Bluff Ridge Elementary, Davis District
"Many times when you go into Joanne's classroom, she is covered with plaster of paris, hot glue, paint or salt dough. This is because her students do a lot of hands-on learning. ... Joanne relishes this type of learning, and her students come to love school because it is interesting and exciting every day." — Judy Neyts, teacher