The S.H.S. Student of the Month (SotM) is the highest level of academic and extracurricular recognition for S.H.S. seniors. SotM winners are students who have challenged themselves with rigorous courses, are involved in many activities and/or athletics, have taken on a leadership role within the school community, and portray S.H.S. in a positive light. The two students that were awarded this title for January are Brinley Francis and Braden Birdsley
Within her high school career, Francis has proven her worth at S.H.S. with the many clubs and activities she is involved in; she has also worked very hard throughout high school to achieve a 3.75 GPA. Francis has taken rigorous courses such as AP Language and Composition, AP Psychology, and AP Literature. As well as her AP course load, Francis has also taken several accelerated courses to challenge herself during her time at S.H.S.
In addition to her course load, Francis was part of the girls golf team, madrigals, fall play, group interpretation, and the school musicals. Francis was a co- captain for her junior year golf season as well as a co-dance captain for the 2023-2024 spring musical.
Following her high school career, Francis plans on attending Sauk Valley Community College to obtain her CNA and then attend Illinois State University to finish out her schooling to become a neonatal/mental health nurse.
The other Student of the Month recipient is Braden Birdsely. Birdsley is a hard working student achieving a 4.05 GPA. To achieve this, Hartman has taken AP Language and Composition, AP Human Geography, AP U.S. History, AP Psychology, and AP Pre-Calculus. As well as his AP course load, Birdsley has also taken several accelerated courses to challenge herself during her time at S.H.S.
When not focusing on school work, Birdsley participates in football and baseball. Birdsley achieved the role of varsity captain for football and baseball his senior year. Birdsley won Athlete of the Week once as well as Player of the Game three times.
After high school, Birdsley plans on attending Illinois State to major in secondary education/ administration to become a high school history teacher.
These two dedicated individuals have put all their effort into being the best students they possibly could be at Sterling High School and we wish them the best of luck in the future.
