Flynn, Eitel named MCHS students of the month

The mutual teacher of two Monticello High School students says both Nessa Eitel and Stella Flynn have  produced impressive works of art while also being kind to their classmates. 

Both Eitel, 16, and Flynn, 17, take art classes with Emily Marjoua, and their recent activity caught the eye of Marjoua, who nominated them both for the Monticello High School Student of the Month award. Eitel was also nominated by her biology teacher, Kayla Schockemoehl.

Eitel’s nomination stems in part from a recent creation in pottery class that took a handful of extra class times to complete due to its intricacies and detail, which impressed Marjoua. 

“Nessa has shown incredible dedication, communication and perseverance in pottery class while creating an intensely intricate pottery artwork,” Marjoua said in her nomination. 

Eitel, too, is proud of her creation, which she said is a cross between a vase and a cup. It has a lid adorned with an intricate rose flower, and its sides, too, have roses attached to vines that snake around its circumference. Eitel said she made each rose petal separately. 

“I was really happy that I got it done,” said Eitel, a sophomore. The creation came out of the kiln on Friday afternoon and is now ready for glaze. “I like how I have the freedom (In Marjoua’s class) to make what I want. She will give me feedback and lets me be creative.”

Eitel, the daughter of Andy and Kim Eitel, said getting recognized by her teachers was validation that her painstaking effort to create a memorable piece was worth it. 

“I am glad that she saw how much work I was putting into it, because it feels like it took me forever. And it’s really nice to be recognized for it.”

This dedication to her work at school goes beyond this individual project, her teacher said. 

“When (Eitel) misses a class for any reason, she prepares ahead of time if she can and completes the work she’ll miss on her own time before she returns, showing incredible accountability and communication skills. She is polite and kind and collaborative every day.”

Eitel said she enjoys talking to people and is thinking a career as a counselor may be a good fit. 

“I like talking to people and trying to make them feel seen … so I want to be some kind of therapist or maybe a counselor.”

In addition to pottery, Eitel’s class load this semester includes biology, English, geometry and choir. She is also plays soccer. 

Teacher: Flynn ‘thoughtful and empathetic to all’

Another artist in Marjoua’s class, Stella Flynn, a senior, prides herself in helping those around her while also creating thoughtful original works of art. 

“Stella juggles many extracurricular activities while still putting forth full effort in academics,” Marjoua said in her Student of the Month nomination for Flynn. “She is thoughtful and empathetic to all, but I have recently seen her listening and problem solving with students that need a friend to lean on.” 

Flynn believes this kind of treatment of those around her can create positive outcomes for all. 

“(Being empathetic) is important because how you are affects the people around you,” said Flynn, the daughter of Tim and Jill Flynn. “If you are thoughtful and empathetic to other people, they will be thoughtful and empathetic to others, and it’ll be a good cycle.”

The Student of the Month award’s importance was not lost on Flynn. 

“It means a lot to me because I know there are a lot of talented, empathetic people around me, but for me to be chosen feels really special.” 

Marjoua also nominated Flynn for tangible reasons, too; her art accomplishments can be seen all around Marjoua’s room in many forms.

“She has been using her incredible creativity and dedication to create in-depth explorations and thoughtful original artworks in Advanced Art,” Marjoua said.

A recent creation is a framed pottery scene of a coffee nook, complete with a table, chair and window. 

Flynn’s goal is to attend Iowa State in the fall and study fine arts. Her current classes include online statistics, literature, band -- where she plays flute -- choir and ancient civilization. She can also be seen on Dean Nelson field playing soccer for the Panthers. 

She said Marjoua told her in person on March 26 that she’d been recognized as a Student of the Month and appreciated being notified in person instead of via email. 

“She handed me the paper and said, ‘surprise!’” Flynn recalled. “I am really happy to have it. It feels great to be recognized.