PLAINS - Outside, behind the Plains High School last Wednesday, the students from the fifth and sixth grade celebrated academic achievement over the third quarter with burgers and soda.

“We are having burgers to celebrate fine academics, performance and perfect attendance,” fifth grade teacher, Lisa Brown, said.

To add to the joyous celebration, students and teachers acknowledged how beautiful the weather was to have a cookout.

A large grill was wheeled up behind the school at a large plot of grass. Coach Allen    and Jim Holland prepared the burgers, while a tables were set out with all the ketchup, mustard, cheese, mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato slices to make the classic burger.

Parents were invited to come and sit with the students in the grass as they ate their special lunch, which started promptly at 12:20, fifth and sixth grade lunch time.

Once everyone had gone through the line to load up their plate, circles formed in the grass where teachers, friends and parents all talked and laughed together as they ate. Some students talked about the sixth grade camping trip this week, while others moved around from group to group to catch up with their friends.

Brown talked about how last quarter the honor roll students got donuts and said, “This was the quarter to be good,” jokingly. She then said, “Over half of them are out here... It seems like it is closer to 70%,” referring to the amount of fifth and sixth graders that achieved the right to come out to the cookout.

Though the celebration was for achievement in the third quarter, Brown said, “After the campout it is a straight shot to the end of the school year.” The sixth grade students will be spending a night out on a camping trip to celebrate the end of the school year.

Mariah Smith, a sixth grader, explained why she works hard in school as she stood in line for a burger. “I like to put forward to my parents, just to show them I’m getting taught well in school.” She then explained, “Since it is the fourth quarter I am looking to to get my grades up so I can play sports next year.” Smith then said she is looking forward to finishing the sixth grade and going on the camping trip.

Another sixth grader, Dillan Sampson, said with enthusiasm, “I want to be an orthopedic surgeon,” explaining why he enjoys school. He then said that if that does not work out he wants to work for RTI and subsequently going down a line of careers in case one does not work out.

When it was evident that everyone had finished their burgers, popsicles were brought and awards were given out along with certificates, recognizing the students’ achievements.

After the awards were passed out the students and teachers all headed inside to carry on with their day. Parents collected the certificates to keep them safe and some of the kitchen staff cleaned up the food tables.