St. Dominic School receives Governor’s Achievement Award

The students of St. Dominic School in Garden City erupted in applause Nov. 20 after being presented the Governor’s Achievement Award by Superintendent of Schools Ann Depperschmidt and St. Dominic Principal Trina Delgado.

“We have a big announcement to make,” Delgado told the students gathered in the gymnasium, who responded with a collective gasp. “Last Thursday I got a phone call from Mrs. Depperschmidt. She said, ‘I have a big surprise. Your school has won an award.’ I asked her what we did to win an award.’”

Depperschmidt explained to Delgado that to win the Governor’s Award, the school had to have an excellent attendance record, and it had to reach the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standard.

And, Delgado told the students, “Our state assessment scores had to be high, in fact they were so high that we made the building-wide, standard of excellence for reading, math, and writing.

“All of those things together gave us the Governor’s Achievement Award,” Delgado said to a burst of applause.

“We know that we have a great school, right? But bigger than all of those things, bigger than getting this award, the most exciting thing to me is that we get to be recognized for having a great school, because also we are in the top 5 percent in the entire state of Kansas.”

Standing at Delgado’s side was Depperschmidt, who told the students that the award didn’t come without the students’ hard work.

“Even if you don’t want to come to school, you come to school. When you’re here you do the best job you can. For all your hard work -- from your teachers, to your principal, to your parents, to you -- congratulations. Great job!”

This is only the second year that the award, created by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and the Kansas State Board of Education, has been presented.

Other schools within the Diocese of Dodge City that were presented the award include: Beeson Elementary School in Dodge City; Minneola Elementary School; Pierceville-Plymell Elementary School in Garden City; Wilroads Gardens Elementary School in Dodge City; Ashland High School, Ashland; and Greensburg High School, Greensburg.

Delgado credited teachers and school staff members, members of the school council, Father Joseph Bahr, pastor of St. Dominic Parish, Sister Catherine Therese Paulie, CSJ, and many others who were in attendance at the presentation, for their support and leadership.

“When you go home today you will be handed two things,” Delgado told the students. “First will be given a note to take home to share the news with your parents. … And all of you will get a star because you’re all superstars.”