Student of the month: Cleo Sullivan

     Each month, Monticello High School nominates a student who exhibits positive behavior, as part of an initiative called PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). The students support the school’s characteristics of Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Safety, and Integrity.

     This nomination could not have come at a better time for Cleo Sullivan. Just this past weekend, Sullivan walked across the stage as a 2017 graduate of Monticello High School.

     The honor is certainly something Sullivan is appreciative of.

     “This feels like all of my accomplishments in high school,” she said of the reasons behind the honor. “I’ve had multiple nominations for the different things I’ve done (while in high school).

     MHS English Teacher Rebecca DeWitte said Sullivan was “selected because she is a positive role model, helps other students in many small ways… and saying a kind word to someone having a bad day. She volunteers for multiple community organizations, is respectful and positive, and has really been a leader in the SODA (Students Opposed to Drug and Alcohol) organization. She constantly displays PBIS values.”

     Sullivan said several of her teachers told her of the recognition, knowing that at least three of them nominated her.

     In terms of being a positive role model, Sullivan said to her it means being a source of help for her fellow peers.

     “I want to be a support person for other students, and I want them to understand that I was in their place once,” she said.

     She said she’s helped her peers by giving them basic advice about high school, especially the freshmen, and helping another student finish “the mile.” This is a run that all high schoolers have to complete. Sullivan finished her mile, and then went back to run with someone else as they finished it after everyone else was done.

     Looking back on her four years in high school, Sullivan said it’s been great meeting so many different people, a plus when you’re involved in as much as she was. Sullivan was active in drama (plays and musicals), solo and ensemble choir, solo and ensemble band, and individual and large-group speech.

     Sullivan also spent three years in SODA, a student leadership and advocacy group that is part of the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition.

     “It’s about encouraging students not to do drugs and alcohol just to fit in,” explained Sullivan. She admitted that she’s had people in her own life “take the wrong turn” with alcohol and drugs, and Sullivan has seen first-hand the negative effects those substances can have on one’s life.

     Because of her dedication to the cause, in February of this year, Sullivan was chosen by Coalition Project Coordinator Jennifer Husmann to speak at Day on the Hill (Youth Substance Abuse Day) at the Capitol in Des Moines.

     “Jennifer just saw me a good role model and offered the opportunity to me,” she said.

     The room was full with about 60 people, including some state legislators.

     “I just talked about my own experiences in life with substance abuse,” highlighted Sullivan. “And I proved the point that it is a problem for youth we need to work on it.”

     In her free time, Sullivan also worked at Fareway in town, and spent some summers as a camp counselor Pilgrim Heights UCC Camp in Montour, Iowa.

     “I loved being a camper there in the first place,” said Sullivan of the exposure. “I loved being with the kids.”

     She said her dream job would involve being a camp counselor, labeling it “the favorite job I’ve ever had.”

     Sullivan said this experience has led to her future plans at Cornell College, majoring in psychology.

     “I want to head into the social work field,” she said, “and focus on youth development.” Sullivan said she wants to work with the underserved populations such as minority groups and women.

     As she walked the halls of MHS before running through the graduation practice march, Sullivan said she’d miss all of the friends she made.

     “You definitely meet so many different people to interact with when you get involved,” she offered as encouragement to other high schoolers. Sullivan said she’s had so many opportunities come her way because of these experiences.

     “You can’t judge a person by their outward appearances,” she said of the top lesson she’s learned.

     Sullivan is the daughter of Jean Sullivan and Ed Moreano of Monticello.