February Students of the Month

 

Seniors Kael Ryan and Emma Stroup

For seniors at Sterling High School, being named Student of the Month (SOM) is the ultimate honor. The winners of SOTM award are students who have pushed themselves academically, participate in extracurricular activities and/or athletics, have assumed leadership roles within the school community, and who promote S.H.S. favorably in the community. Seniors Emma Stroup and Kael Ryan are the two students that received this honor for the month of February.

  Stroup represents the very best at S.H.S., holding a GPA of 3.8. Being a leader in school is important and in many of Stroup’s classes she takes on a leadership role in the classroom setting. 

  S.H.S. has recognized many of Stroup’s skills and has awarded her for her many talents. Stroup has done musicals since 2021 and started madrigals in 2022  She has received multiple awards throughout her time in high school, such as being part of the Honor Roll and getting first place in IHSA Group Interpretation Sectionals. 

  Outside of school, Stroup often participates in volunteer work that includes “Feeding My Starving Children” and building and volunteering for Streator, Ill. Yard Work. She also enjoys painting, playing piano, playing guitar, and reading in her free time. Stroup has played a role in leadership in both the theater department and the S.H.S. choir. Stroup’s plan for the future is to attend college for musical arts. 

  The other student that has been awarded with the title of Student of the Month is Kael Ryan. Due to his love for learning, Ryan holds an outstanding GPA of 3.7 and has completed classes such as AP Human Geography, AP Chemistry and AP Psychology. 

  Ryan has been awarded for his academic skills and involvement. He is currently in National Honor Society and was the November 2022 scholar athlete of the month. 

  Ryan participates in basketball, football, and track. Ryan was the 2022 varsity football captain and he was still involved with being a vocal leader during his junior year when he had to miss the entire season due to an ACL tear.

  Outside of school, Ryan volunteers for Rock River Hospice when his mother, who works there,  asks for his assistance. Ryan also loves to disc golf, play video games, watch sports, and weightlift. After high school, Ryan intends to go to a four-year university, specifically Augustana University, to pursue a major in physical therapy and play division two football. 

  These two really raise the bar and stand for Sterling High School’s best, and they will go on to achieve amazing things after they graduate.