(Photos by Douglass Huxley) Marietta High School Senior Aiden Trippett was presented with the Focused and Fierce Award Thursday night by Principal Todd Bates during the Marietta City Schools Board of Education meeting.

The Marietta City Schools Board of Education presented one student from every school Thursday night at Phillips Elementary with a new certificate the district is implementing to celebrate those students who show a focused and fierce approach to their school day.

Superintendent Mary Schaeffer said when she first arrived in the district she set up a committee to help her learn what it means to be a Marietta Tiger.

“How do we identify what that looks like, what it feels like?” she said. “The words that came through repeatedly from those folks who were part of that committee were the words ‘focused’ and ‘fierce.’ That’s what it felt like to be a Marietta Tiger.”

She said that it consists of showing up every day with purpose, taking pride in your work and persevering and staying committed to excellence while facing challenges head on. She said focused and fierce Tigers lead with integrity. They give their best effort in the classroom, workplace and community, and they never lose sight of what it means to represent Marietta with strength and character. She said she asked the principal of every school to nominate one student they felt exemplified those traits.

Phillips’ Principal Kristi Lantz nominated Parker Carpenter. She said Carpenter consistently demonstrates focus by showing strong effort toward academic and personal goals, persevering through challenges and taking responsibility for his learning and behavior.

(Photo by Douglass Huxley) Washington Elementary second-grader Jimmy Maston was presented with the district’s new Focused and Fierce Award Thursday night by Principal Kristine Schoeppner during the Marietta City Schools Board of Education meeting.

“He displays fierce character through courage, confidence and determination to do what is right, even when it is difficult,” Principal Kristi Lantz said. “By treating peers and adults with respect, showing kindness and empathy and contributing positively to the classroom community, Parker serves as an excellent role model for his classmates.”

Washington Elementary Principal Kristine Schoeppner nominated second-grader Jimmy Maston who she said demonstrates strong focus by consistently putting forth effort towards his academic and personal goals, persisting when faced with challenges and taking responsibility for his learning and behavior.

“He maintains a positive attitude toward growth and improvement, and shows fierce character through courage, confidence and resilience, along with a determination to do what is right, even when it is difficult,” Schoeppner said. “He goes above and beyond … He is a true gentleman, and his parents should be very, very proud, as he should be very proud.”

Marietta Elementary sixth-grader Raegan Swaney was nominated by Principal Brittany Schob who said Swaney consistently demonstrates focus and dedication to her academic and personal goals, takes responsibility for her learning and behavior and maintains a positive attitude.

Reagan’s leadership style is quiet but powerful.

(Photos by Douglass Huxley) Marietta Elementary sixth-grader Raegan Swaney was presented with the district’s new Focused and Fierce Award Thursday night by Principal Brittany Schob during the Marietta City Schools Board of Education meeting.

“Reagan is a very quiet leader,” Schob said. “She comes to school every day, does exactly what she needs to do … She helps whenever anything’s needed, and then she’s an example to others, but she does it in a very quiet and respectful way.”

Schob told the board about an incident where Swaney appropriately alerted a teacher when a fellow classmate was going through a difficult time, ensuring they received the support that was needed.

“Reagan cares about others … She is just a wonderful role model and example,” Schob said. “This is earned by you and all of your hard work.”

Marietta High School Principal Todd Bates nominated senior Aiden Trippett saying he exemplifies focus by pushing through challenges and maintaining a positive attitude for growth and improvement. Bates said Trippett’s GPA has risen significantly since his freshman year, including a recent accomplishment of receiving straight A’s for a full grading period.

“I cannot think about a student in our building right now that has shown more growth towards that Focused and Fierce model than Aiden,” Bates said.

(Photo by Douglass Huxley) Marietta School Superintendent Mary Schaeffer presented Board member Russ Garrison with a certificate of appreciation Thursday night for Board Member Recognition Month held every January.

Beyond academics, Bates said Trippett has also taken on new roles in journalism where he takes photographs at athletic events and is part of the school’s YouTube-based media channel, Tiger TV.

“He’s taken thousands of pictures a night at those games and sits at home and goes through all of them and sends us pictures at the school,” Bates said. “He’s taken over our interactive TV that sits in the cafeteria … it looks way better than it has before, and it’s all because of the hard work that Aiden’s put into it.”

Schaeffer also presented board members with a certificate for January being Board Member Recognition Month.

It’s a wonderful chance to recognize the dedication, time and strategic contributions of individuals who are serving on our governing board,” Schaeffer said. “And so I’d like to award the certificate as a token of our gratitude for their time and dedication to our district and to our students.”