Years of hard work paid off for Waldon Middle School, as they became the district’s seventh building to receive the Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Award on June 1.
The Michigan Department of Education began participating in the Blue Ribbon program in 1982, and schools are selected based on their effectiveness in meeting rigorous state education goals.
Elementary and secondary schools compete separately on alternate years, and this year secondary schools were eligible to apply.
Waldon, which has over 600 students attending, was the only school in Oakland County receiving the award this year, and only one of eight in the state.
Waldon Principal Heidi Kast accepted the award from Elizabeth Bauer of the Michigan Board of Education during a celebration at the school.
Lake Orion Schools Superintendent Chris Lehman started the festivities, citing Waldon’s Blue Ribbon as a triumph for the entire district.
‘This experience is what happens at Waldon on a daily basis,? she said, adding later that, in regard to the school colors of green and white, ‘It’s a rare day when (the students) get to wear blue, but today it’s ok.?
The event included performances from Waldon student Jillian Whitefield, who sang The Star Spangled Banner, accompanied by the Waldon Cadet Band, who also performed Marcha Bella.
The Waldon Festival Singers also performed, singing the Waldon School Song, written by Julie Kryk and Waldon students.
Waldon eighth-grader Andrew Adams presented ‘What Waldon Means to Me,? saying ‘Every teacher has a unique style, but they all have the same goal…to make learning exciting.?
Adams said Waldon should not boast about their Blue Ribbon Award until all of the public schools in Michigan have received the same.
‘Our goal should be bringing every school to Blue Ribbon standards,? he said.
Waldon student Alec Malstrom also spoke, talking about ‘The Best of Times? at Waldon.
Waldon teachers Donna deWitt-Schnell, who was honored earlier this school year as Lake Orion’s Middle School Teacher of the Year, and Barbara Hoffman talked about all of the people that make Waldon a great place.
DeWitt-Schnell compared the teachers, administrators, students, parents, custodians, cafeteria and transportation staff to the Waldon Pond, constructed in front of the school by students and teachers.
‘All of us come together today as a result of a similar rippling effect,? she said.
Bauer spoke before presenting the award, noting that earning the Blue Ribbon requires a five-year application process, and that many other schools had paved the way for Waldon.
‘Today, Waldon is paving the way,? she said.