On January 26,
Oak Creek Ranch School's Headmaster David Wick, Jr. and Dean of Residential Life Jim Graves announced that Jason L. (senior, middle), Zach B. (junior, right) and Willie S. (sophomore, left) had been advanced to the MIKKO level for excellence in leadership. Only three out of 70 of students at this co-ed Arizona boarding school have risen to MIKKO level of excellence in leadership during this academic calendar year.
“Mikko” is a Native American word for “leader” or “guide,” and it is the highest level students can achieve though a demonstration of exceptional behavior and performance inside and outside of the classroom. A Mikko-level honorary designation, which can only be awarded by the headmaster, is reserved for students who demonstrate superior leadership within their dormitories, classrooms and extracurricular activities and who have gone eight weeks or more without receiving any behavioral notices.
Here’s a closer look at the three students who earned this distinguished award:
Jason always demonstrates a positive attitude, and has been an asset in his dorm - demonstrating leadership as a dorm assistant, working hard in class and making the right choices wherever he is. Whether playing soccer or basketball, he is always a good sport. His behavior reflects that he believes it is important for him to act “responsibly, honorably, and with integrity.”
Zach takes pride in being a good role model in class and beyond it. A quiet and reserved student, he is a fantastic leader. In addition to leading by example, Zach makes himself available to other students who need help making better decisions – looking out for others and finding an appropriate way to warn them of consequences when they are about to make a mistake. He also strives to be a great friend to fellow students.
Leadership is a new experience for Willie, and he has embraced it with enthusiasm. When contemplating leadership, Willie says he strives to follow the example of other leaders he has known. As a dorm assistant, he has been an asset to his dorm advisor, helping students get out of bed, follow-through on chores and exhibit a good attitude. “I know I can help this school and set a good example for people that are having trouble expressing themselves in a positive way,” Willie said.
Currently, more than 70 percent of students at Oak Creek Ranch School have achieved the APENIMON level. “Apenimon” is another Native American word meaning “worthy of trust.” Students at this level have exhibited trustworthy behaviors, have not broken any major rules and have earned five or fewer behavioral notices. APENIMON-ranked students are able to participate in all the off-campus activities.
“Oak Creek Ranch School’s residential program and honorary designations are based on choices and consequences. When students are making good decisions for themselves, they enjoy access to everything the school has to offer,” said Dean of Residential Life Jim Graves. “However, when they continually make poor choices, they start missing out on the recreational opportunities. Learning personal responsibility begins with understanding that behaviors have consequences. When students make that connection, they ask themselves, ‘Is what I am about to do going to help me in the long run or prevent me from being able to do what I like to do?’”
