SeDoMoCha School honors students for showing respect

DOVER-FOXCROFT — SeDoMoCha Elementary and Middle School hosted a special schoolwide assembly on Friday afternoon, Oct. 24 to recognize students in kindergarten through grade 8 who demonstrate exceptional respect for others, for staff and for the learning environment.

One student from each grade level was selected by teachers, along with one student chosen by the kindergarten through grade 4 and unified arts team and one selected by the grade 5-8 and UA teachers. During the assembly, teachers took turns sharing remarks about their chosen students before calling them to the podium to receive a certificate, a gift certificate to the school store and a round of applause from an audience filled with students, staff and proud family members.

Honorees are kindergartener Margot Cabot, first-grader Ellie Stewart, second-grader Grace Gauthier, third-grader Madison McInnis, fourth-grader Eloise Pullen, elementary unified arts student Magnolia Smith, fifth-grader Cailyn Bengtson, sixth-grader Reagan Armstrong, seventh-grader Abigail Nee, eighth-grader Claire Gosselin and middle school unified arts student Damien Taitam. 

Families had received advance notice of the event, but were asked to keep the recognition a surprise — making for a heartwarming afternoon of joyful reactions and well-deserved celebration. Jeff Dale, head of the Student in the Spotlight committee, welcomed the crowd before turning the program over to the teachers to present the awards.

Throughout the event, each teacher shared brief but heartfelt words describing the ways their students show respect each day:

Kindergarten teacher Kelsy Bailey said her student “uses kind words, listens carefully to others and helps keep our classroom a caring and welcoming place for everyone.”

First grade teacher Nicole Killam described her honoree as “a true role model for her peers, with a heart full of compassion and a joyful spirit that brightens our classroom every single day.”

Second grade teacher Erica Tapley said, “She embodies respect at our school even when no one is watching … She helps without being asked and is a role model for her classmates.”

Third grade teacher Cynthia Richard shared that her student “repeatedly exhibits respectful behavior, cleans up after herself and others and demonstrates acceptance and kindness within our school community.”

Fourth grade teacher Karen Trubic remarked, “Respect isn’t just about manners — it’s about empathy, understanding, and treating every person with dignity. This student shows us that daily.”

Fifth grade teacher Heidi Hall said, “She listens when others are speaking, treats classmates with kindness, and models what it means to be a respectful and caring member of our school.”

Sixth grade teacher Alexis Dumont noted, “Her respect for her peers, her teachers, and herself sets her apart as a leader in our grade … Her self-confidence and dedication are truly admirable.”

Seventh grade teacher Kendrah Fisher described her student as “a quiet leader who shows respect in everything she does — by listening carefully, treating others with kindness and setting a positive example.”

Eighth grade teacher Gabrielle Jolin said, “She lets her actions speak louder than words … always polite, responsible and kind — the kind of respect we hope to see from all of our students.”

Unified arts teacher Kasey Bevis shared on behalf of the elementary unified arts team, “This month’s Respect Award was chosen by classmates, and that says it all — her friends notice how kind and respectful she is every single day.”

Librarian Carolyn Clark, speaking for the middle school unified arts team, added, “This student listens attentively, participates thoughtfully and treats both teachers and classmates with kindness. His calm, friendly demeanor makes him a true role model within our school community.”

The event concluded with enthusiastic applause and smiles all around as the SeDoMoCha community celebrated its students’ positive examples.

SeDoMoCha will continue recognizing students throughout the 2025–26 school year for demonstrating other important Habits of the Mind, including perseverance, responsibility and empathy.