Student of the month: Tate Petersen

                  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.

                  MHS Sophomore Tate Petersen is a team player off and on the field.

                  He was nominated for student of the month by High School P.E. teacher Vallerie Lynn.

                  “Tate has done a great job as both an online learner and in the building. He always greets people with a smile. In Physical Education, Tate is the hardest working student. However, he is also a very empathetic student. When we play team games, he is a great teammate and gives others the chance to shine. His great attitude has been very helpful and contagious in class.”

            Petersen has P.E. classes with Lynn two days a week.

            He said it was pretty cool to find out he was nominated, “because it shows that people realize the little things” students do.

            “You don’t have to do something major,” Petersen said of getting a bit of recognition.

            Petersen spent his first few weeks of school 100 percent online. Playing on the MHS football team, Petersen said he didn’t want to risk getting COVID-19 while in school, hampering his chances to play with the team.

            “I was good seeing everyone again,” he said of when he eventually returned to in-person, brick-and-mortar learning.

            Petersen returned to school once the state and the school district adopted the facemask guidelines concerning contact with someone infected with the virus.

            When he was doing 100 percent online learning, though, Petersen admitted it was a challenge for him getting everything done on time.

            “But I knew I needed to do it for myself and for my teachers,” he said.

            Petersen would wake up early every morning and log into his classes and get his homework done right way. This allowed him to have the rest of the day to himself.

            He said with five classes online, it took about 20 minutes per class.

            Lynn referenced Petersen’s hard work in P.E. class. He said he usually tries to get other students involved in the activity of the day, those students who may not show much interest.

            “I cheer others on during a game,” he said of exhibiting great teamwork.

            In terms of showing empathy toward others, Petersen said, for example, during a recent game of lacrosse, he allowed other students to score, which made them feel better about themselves.

            When Petersen is not busy with school, you can typically find him playing sports for fun. His extra curriculars include: football, basketball, baseball, choir, and student council. Petersen is the class president of his sophomore class.

            Taking part in choir, though, he said they just recorded their first concert, which will be available to the public. When in choir class, students sit 6 feet part and wear a mask.

            Petersen’s favorite subjects in school are math and P.E.

            “Math just comes pretty easy to me,” he said.

            He claimed he did not have a least favorite subject.

            Petersen is the son of Nels and Jen Petersen of Monticello.