Monti sophomore earns recognition for kind act

A simple act of kindness by Monticello sophomore Gemma Haas did not go unnoticed by her teacher. 

The act earned Haas, 16, the Monticello High School Student of the Month recognition for January. 

On a recent day, a group of students was playing basketball during their performance physical education class and tossed the ball high into the bleachers, said Haas. However, no one would retrieve the ball despite their teacher, Vallerie Lynn, asking several times. 

“I just grabbed it,” Haas recalled, adding that her teacher has a leg brace and could not do it herself. “I don’t know why they didn’t just grab it.”

It was this selfless act that promoted Lynn to nominate Haas for the recognition. 

“Gemma is always helpful to teachers and other students,” Lynn said.

Haas, who lives in Monticello, is in the middle of her sophomore year and has a full class load: History, geometry, PE, biology and English are all on her schedule. However, she has discovered a love for creative expression and enjoys her art class most of all. This passion was initially sparked last year during a graphics class. 

“I am in 3D art right now,” said Haas, the daughter of Amelia and Tyson Haas, of Monticello. “We are doing sculptures.”

Haas and her classmates are currently studying the work of Alberto Giacometti, a mid-20th century Swiss sculptor known for creating tall, elongated figurines. 

In addition, Haas is getting ready for the track & field season, which is set to begin soon. She also works at the Cone Shoppe in town and enjoys spending time with friends and watching Panther basketball games. 

Haas said she learned of her student of the month recognition a couple weeks ago and immediately told her mom. 

“(My mom) was very proud of me, so that made me happy,” Haas said.

She believes it’s important that students are respectful to teachers. 

“They’re older than you and have authority, but it’s really just about respect,” Haas said.