PINEHURST – The most recent end-of-year assembly at Pinehurst Elementary School was a bit more special this time around, as a certain student walked away with not only an award, but a hefty college scholarship as well.

PES Principal Mike Groves announced at the June 9 assembly that 5th grader Dallas Ross was awarded a $5,000 Children of Warriors Scholarship for an essay that he submitted to the organization.

"The kids had to write an essay explaining why they think they would be the best candidate for the scholarship," Groves said. "The scholarship originally started several years ago to help kids of military or first responder families, but has changed into a scholarship for kids who have parents who have 'fought through adversity."

Dallas' father, Jeremy Ross, is a deputy with the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office and his grandfather, Scott Ross, is a Reserve Officer with the SCSO- as well as the SCSO chaplain.

No one outside of the organization knew who the winner was until the day before the assembly. Unknown to the scholarship committee who chose the winner, Dallas would also be recognized at the assembly as one of the students to receive a Presidential Academic Excellence Award, due to his ISAT scores.

"I'm glad I didn't have to make the selection because there were so many qualified kids that applied," Groves said. "He (Dallas) is a well-behaved kid, who works hard and is very conscientious about his school work."

The PES end-of-year assembly is a culmination of the monthly award ceremonies that are held every month of the school year to recognize students who have gone above-and-beyond.

"Each month we recognized kids who had perfect attendance, who did something good and received a 'positive panther,' or students who did not have a discipline issue and students of the month," Grove said.

Kids who had perfect attendance, did something good, received a 'positive panther' (students who did not have a discipline issue), and/or were selected as a students of the month would be recognized every month. Students who did not have discipline issues, among other things, got their name placed in a jar for the end of the year assembly where they could win prizes. This year, 60 prizes were given out.

Other standard acknowledgements include medals for perfect attendance and certificates for the most recent students of the month.

In addition to these, the end-of-year assembly is also used to recognize 5th grade students who earn Presidential Academic Awards.

The first award for Academic Excellence is measured by how well students do on the Idaho Standard Achievement Test. Ten kids were recognized for their scores this year and received a certificate with the Presidential Seal on it, a letter, and a pin.

The second award for Academic Achievement is given to students who did not score in the top 10, but who worked hard and showed the most growth. They also received a certificate, a letter, and a pin.

PES end-of-year assembly award winners are as follows:

PERFECT ATTENDANCE FOR THE YEAR-

Katie Zhu

Payson Scheel

Amara Norris

Kelsey Potts

PRESIDENT'S EDUCATION AWARDS-

•President's Award for Academic Excellence (Students who had the highest ISAT scores): Kaylie Baugh, Braden Chrismann, Rebecca Dominguez, Bryson Groth, Autumn Guzman, Kamryn McDonald, Malena Munoz, Dallas Ross, and Roan Tucker.

•President's Award for Academic Achievement (Students who grew/improved the most): Mystina Austin, Heaven Bauer, Bridger Bowman, Brooke Carey, Jacob Katt, Taylor O'Mahoney, and Donovan Teague.