DOWAGIAC — Monday evening, Dowagiac Board of Education members took time to shake hands with six students and hearing glowing recommendations of them from teachers as part of a monthly ritual.

The board of education recognized the district’s students of the month at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting Monday. One student of the month is chosen from each school in the district based on nominations from school staff. Each student of the month is recognized with a T-shirt and a framed certificate.

From Dowagiac Union High School, 11th-grader Alexandria Marquart was chosen as student of the month. She was nominated by English teacher Dustin Cornelius.

Cornelius said that Marquart is a helpful, driven student with a 3.9 grade point average.

“She is the shoulder that I lean on because she is just that mature,” he said. “She’s going to be successful at anything she does. She is athletic, she does [National Honors Society] and she is just a stellar individual.”

From Dowagiac Middle School, eighth-grader David Wadley was chosen as student of the month. He was nominated by music teacher Mary Alice Korth and Art teacher Courtney Dwyer.

DMS Principal Sean Wightman read a statement prepared by Dwyer about Wadley Monday night.

“David is an exemplary student who represents our school well. He participates in discussions, turns in his work on time and always puts forth his best effort,” Dwyer said in her statement. “David also gets along well with his peers and is kind and considerate.”

From Kincheloe Elementary, kindergartner Thomas Ruff was chosen as student of the month. He was nominated by his teacher Melissa Lillie.

Lillie said that Ruff told her that he would like to be a teacher when he grows up, a venture that Lillie said she supports and believes Ruff would be well suited for.

“He has the biggest heart,” Lillie said. “He always tries his best and helps other students.”

From Justus Gage Elementary, kindergartner Christian McIntyre was chosen as student of the month. He was nominated by his teacher Kristin Ausra.

“He is kind and generous to all students,” Ausra said of McIntyre. “Christian is a student who goes above and beyond.”

From Sister Lakes Elementary, Heidi Sanchez was chosen as student of the month. She was nominated by teacher Kelli Sylvester.

Principal Mike Campbell read a statement from Sylvester about Sanchez Monday night.

“Heidi is a pleasure to have in my class,” Sylvester’s statement read. “She is a hard worker and volunteers to help with the tasks of others.”

From Patrick Hamilton Elementary, Hunter Hawkins was chosen as student of the month. He was nominated by teacher Lauren Cornelius.

Cornelius spoke in front of the crowd Monday night, saying that she typically doesn’t do public speaking, but that Hawkins was such an extraordinary student that she had to.

“He is absolutely amazing. I could stand here all day and talk about him. He is responsible and brings back his homework,” Cornelius said. “I’m proud to have him be the student of the month.”