Kelloggsville — Senior Caden Terrell had no idea he was about to receive a Rocket 11 award until he heard a few key items.
“Holding the door for third hour — I do that all the time for band class,” Caden said. References to helping with sound and audio also hinted that he was about to be recognized. “There were definitely a couple of things that gave it away.”
Started a few years ago, the annual Rocket 11 program recognizes eight students — two from each high-school grade level — who demonstrate compassion, selflessness and resilience. The 11 signifies that these students are “one more than a 10,” said counselor Ashley Moorem, explaining that honorees go the extra mile and their personalities and helpfulness set them apart from their peers.
Principal Nick Patin said Kelloggsville started Rocket 11 after seeing Wyoming High School’s Alpha Wolf 11 program.
“We knew that we had students who did great things in and around our building, but they often were overlooked during the busy school year,” he said. “The Rocket 11 celebration focuses on those students who stand out amongst their peers and the staff. We wanted a celebration that would honor those students in front of our entire school and their families.”
It is a staff-led program, with staff putting in a lot of effort to watch students and promote it throughout the year, Patin said.
One way the program is promoted is through handing out Rocket 11 bracelets throughout the school year to students who “get caught” demonstrating selflessness, resilience and compassion daily. Morse said staff has handed out more than 300 bracelets so far this year. The school has 595 students, according to MiSchoolData.
The school also hosts other incentives for students who have earned a bracelet, usually an hour in the day when students can watch a movie, play games or have gym time. To participate, students have to meet other criteria such as no tardies and passing grades, Morse said.
In the winter, the school hosts an assembly that includes local leaders, school officials and community members such as State Rep. John Fitzgerald, who attended this year.
At the end of the year, there is a bigger event for students with bracelets, she said. Last year was a field day.
Preparing for the Moment
The assembly starts with the recognition of a local teacher. This year, it was Hayleigh Skestone, who gave the opening speech by sharing about the rare autoimmune disorder she has that causes pain throughout her body. She talked about being resilient and the compassion that her family, students and staff have shown.
“When people ask if I have kids, I say ‘Oh yes, 125 of them,’” Skestone told the group. “You all give me a purpose to try my best to get up every morning and do what I love to do most: teach you all.”
While Skestone may have been aware that she was receiving the Rocket 11 award, students were kept in the dark up until their names were announced. Family members of honorees were snuck into the building about 20 minutes before the assembly and hid in a room off the gym, where a monitor was set up so they could watch the hour-long event.
The Big Reveal
During the assembly, vague descriptions and information collected from nominations by other students and staff were shared. As each continued through the reasons why a certain person was selected, students tried to guess who it might be.
Every time a student’s name was announced, the gym erupted in cheers and applause, and waiting family members joined honorees.
Senior Karen Galvez placed her hand in front of her mouth in total shock that her name was called, as her friends cheered.
“I was totally surprised,” said Karen, who was recognized for her compassion and commitment to helping others. “It means a lot that people are noticing what you are doing.”
After the event, Caden said he was surprised to learn that he had been nominated several times while at Kelloggsville, and that it felt “pretty nice” to be recognized by staff and his peers.
Other students recognized were ninth-graders Vy Nguyen and Joel Metusela, 10th-graders Ezequiel Gomez and Anh Nguyen, and 11th-graders Prince Baraka and Cody Liang.
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