DOWAGIAC — A group of outstanding Dowagiac Union High School freshmen were recognized for excellence and leadership inside the classroom this past semester during a special ceremony.

The ceremony was hosted by the school’s Youth Experience Success program in the school media center Tuesday.

The teachers who work with freshmen were asked to nominate the students based on this criteria and recognize students who are not necessarily the top academic students, but who have done well in their class. There were nine teachers who submitted names, and 23 students were recognized.

“This is one of my favorite awards to present, as it represents good work, a dedicated effort and improvement by students who may not always get an academic award, but are trying hard,” said Doug Pearson, coordinator of the YES program.

Stephanie Zielke, store manager at Pizza Hut, provided certificates for a personal pan pizza and drink. She also personalized each certificate with a note to each student.

Pizza Hut has been a loyal sponsor of the Youth Experiencing Success Program since it was first initiated in April 2013. Over the years, Pizza Hut has donated 130 meals to the YES Program.

Recongized Tuesday were:

• Alaina Andersen

• Sean Boyer

• Noah Cleary

• Daija Conley

• Gustavo Cruz

• William Goodrich

• Renee Hoekstra

• Alexis Hunsberger

• Connor Jurgenson

• Tamyra Kirtdoll

• Caleb Lucio

• Diego Martinez Victoria

• Trysta Miracle

• Alivia Murray

• Nevada Planck

• Alisa Pringle

• Kyle Rupert

• Nikolas Shafer

• Mattie Thompson

• Justin Townsend

• Kyra Ward

• Schtirika White

• Chelsea Zachary