Spotlight on: Alana Schlappi
May 2026 Senior Student of the Month
The Student Council decides monthly student and teacher awards with a specific category each month. The category for May 2026 was “spring athlete” for students and “most deserving” for teachers.
The Senior Student of the Month awards go to two seniors per month who are nominated and voted on by Student Council members in grades 9-11.
The High School Teacher of the Month award goes to one teacher per month who is nominated and voted on by Student Council members in grades 9-12. All Teachers of the Month become eligible to become Teacher of the Year in June.
The May 2026 Senior Students of the Month are Alana Schlappi and Cole Bolen, and the May 2026 High School Teacher of the Month is Emily Schumske.
Below is a Q&A with Alana Schlappi, whose spring sport is outdoor track with Coach Couchman:
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Q. What classes do you enjoy the most, and what makes them stand out to you?
A. I enjoy my Culinary class from BOCES, the baking & pastry portion. I’ve been dedicated to culinary since I first joined the class. I was going the extra mile by doing multiple dinners, baking desserts for catering events or the bistro. I will do anything that happens in that class or any events.
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Q. How do you manage your time between academics and sports?
A. During the sports season, I make sure to plan my time wisely, so I can dedicate it to what needs to be done.
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Q. What position(s) do you play, and how many years have you been involved in your spring sport?
A. I’m a thrower for outdoor track, and I have played for two years: my junior year and senior year.
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Q. What achievement or moment in your athletic career are you most proud of?
A. I’m most proud of getting a scholar-athlete award while doing the musical in the winter of this year.
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Q. In your opinion, what qualities make someone a strong teammate?
A. Someone who is a strong teammate is determined, reliable and positive.
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Q. What is an important lesson you’ve learned from your coach or sport that will stick with you?
A. Something that stuck with me was one thing the Couchman said, during a practice, he said. “If it ain’t happening now, currently, keep going.”
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Q. What are your plans after graduation (college, trade school, military, career, etc.)?
A. After graduating, I’m going to college at MVCC for baking and pastry.
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Q. Who motivates or influences you the most, and why?
A. Jo-Miles influenced me the most from the Class of 25 because she was just really good at throwing and did track and field for all of high school.
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Q. What advice would you share with younger athletes?
A. For younger athletes, stay on top of your work even though you’re slowing down. It doesn’t have to be high grades but at least passing all your classes. Also, working hard and pushing yourself to your limit at any games, meets and matches and even practices, because all of it will eventually pay off.
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Q. If you had to sum up your high school experience in three words, what would they be?
A. Three words to sum up my high school experience are: resilient, stressful and engaging.
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