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 leadership roles within the school community, and portray S.H.S. in a positive light. The two students that were awarded this title for March are Madison Austin and Da’Vonte Heckman
Within her high school career, Austin has established herself as a model student. She has worked hard throughout high school to maintain a 3.97 GPA. Austin has taken rigorous courses such as AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, AP U.S. History, AP Psychology, AP Pre-Calculus, AP Human Geography, and numerous other accelerated courses to challenge herself during her time at S.H.S.
In addition to her course load, Austin is involved in girls’ swim and dive, girls’ basketball, girls track, National Honor Society, and Young Doctors League. Austin has been awarded numerous honors, such as being named a Rotary Scholar, the Western Big Six Conference Swimming MVP for 2022, and All Conference Swim First Team all four years of high school. During her basketball career, Austin was awarded Western Big 6 first team, Academic All Conference, Western Big Six Co-MVP, and First Team All State.
Following her high school career, Austin plans to attend Illinois State University to play basketball. Her overall goal while she’s in school is to obtain a degree in sports administration.
The other student of the month recipient is Da’Vonte Heckman. Heckman is distinguished within academics with a 3.837 GPA. To achieve this GPA, Heckman partook in AP Pre-Calculus, AP Language and Composition, and AP Biology, as well as a few other accelerated courses.
When not focusing on school work, Heckman participates in Library Club, Travel Club, Table-Top Game Club, and boys bowling. Outside of school, Heckman volunteers at the Advanced Animal Health Center.
After high school, Heckman is planning on attending Augustana College for his undergraduate degree, and then transferring to attend veterinary school.
These two dedicated individuals have put all their effort into being the best students they possibly could be at Sterling High School.
