Parkville Middle School Students Honored for Exemplary Behavior

When Parkville Middle School student Caitlyn Vincent tragically passed away in 2007, her relatives were devastated. But rather than dwell on her death, they decided to celebrate her life. Caitlyn was, to them, a special girl who always stood up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves.

"After she passed away, we started hearing the stories about her day that she wouldn't tell us when she came home from school," said Caitlyn's father, John Vincent.

Vincent told a story about how his daughter had once switched seats on the bus to help a classmate avoid bullies who were teasing her about her weight. 

"It was one of the more unpopular girls—the kids were always throwing spitballs at her. Caitlyn stood up, walked up to her and invited the girl to sit with her group of friends," said Vincent. "We heard a lot of stories like that—Caitlyn showed me around school, she stood up for me."

To honor her memory, the family started the Caitlyn S. Vincent Foundation, which each year honors Parkville Middle students who model exemplary behavior. An awards luncheon, held on Wednesday, is one of three ceremonies held by the school and the foundation to honor students in three different grades.

"This is one of my favorite events of the school year," said Parkville Middle School principal Buddy Parker. "This is called the Honorable Student Lunch, and that really means something.”

Eighth graders are also nominated for the award—the winner, to be announced at the schoolwide awards ceremony later this school year, will have his name added to a plaque near the school office and receive a cash prize.

As principal Buddy Parker read the honorees' names and the nominations from teachers, Caitlyn's mother, Lil Vincent, handed each student a certificate of recognition. 

The 30 students recognized at Wednesday's ceremony were:

• Cynthia Ajuzie
• Shahada Amit
• Autumn Bell
• Deja Brooks
• Bradley Clocker
• Mario Colandrea
• Nevillia Cole
• Jasmin Cox
• Khadijatu Deen Kareem
• Jennifer Erisman
• Irene Javier
• Kyra Kyler
• Kiera Lane
• Raegan Cox
• Gabe Marte
• Acire Mason
• Skyler Morris
• Jacqueline Nguyen
• Christine Joy A. Paje
• Vincent Puccini
• Khalil Richard
• Paulina Sadowski
• Brooke Samios-Uy
• Hannah Smith
• Jada Talley
• De'Sean Terry
• Laurie Tuck
• Justin Vaught
• Rachel Wasmer
• Sarah Yake

As the lunch hour drew to a close, Parker left the kids with sound advice.

"Thank you for being role models at our school," he said. "Keep being who you are, carry it with you to high school—we're all going different places, but you'll always be a part of the Parkville Middle community."