The Miller Motivator was a monthly recognition program to honor students and staff for their character and actions. Nominees were given a certificate from Head Principal Melissa Barlow, in recognition for what they did either for or in the school.
The Miller Motivator program started in 2023 and the names of nominees were posted in the monthly newsletter, on social media and on Minga. Anybody in the school could nominate a student, employee, teacher or support staff. In the Newsletters, Barlow included a message that students could vote with the option of staying anonymous.
“So what I love about Miller Motivator is that it allows people within our school, but also people in our community to nominate students, teachers, and staff members for the Miller motivator award, “ Barlow said. “I think that’s why it’s been so successful. Everybody gets to nominate everybody.”
Earlier this year, in the first semester, Senior Darlene Cisneros was nominated for Miller Motivator. She expressed how she felt when she received the reward, how others could earn it, and who nominated her.
“I was happy that I got it,” Cisneros said. “I wondered what I did to get it. I was just shocked. Ms. Heitzman, she nominated me for being really helpful with the (students) in life and leisure, and just helping them around, treating them as everybody else. I took initiative [with] this girl named Evelyn … Just being a helping hand, and translating. She had a language barrier in our class, and she was struggling to understand what they were saying.”
In addition to Cisneros, Sophomore Max Krebs was nominated for Miller Motivator. He talked about the lesson to do what’s right even if no one’s watching.
“I was pretty excited [when] I moved here, and whenever I got called to the office,” Krebs said. “I was surprised how fast I can make an impact on people. It’s basic, but treat other people how you’d want to be treated, be a good friend, be a good person, give respect just try to help out whenever. Have confidence in yourself because you don’t know who’s watching you.”
