Two students — one from the elementary school and one from the high school — were awarded Student of the Month honors for the month of February at the Hampton Bays Board of Education meeting at the high school library on Tuesday, March 12.

Fourth-grader Michael Wilds and sophomore Alyssa Ortiz were on hand to receive plaques and words of commendation from their respective principals. The February Student of the Month for the middle school, Nicholas Kolb, who was on a field trip with his fellow students, will be recognized during the March Board of Education meeting.

Michael was nominated for Student of the Month by his teachers Michelle Ferguson and Elizabeth Hubbard. Hampton Bays Elementary School Principal Marc Meyer said that Michael was a unique and deserving pick because of his standout efforts at turning himself around academically since the school year started. “He’s always with a book, studying,” Mr. Meyer reported. “He’s earned this the old-fashioned way, through lots and lots of hard work.” According to Mr. Meyer, Michael said he plans on becoming a policeman in Hampton Bays when he grows up.

“Alyssa’s resume is very, very impressive,” Hampton Bays High School Principal Christopher Richardt said of the high school Student of the Month. The two-sport athlete is enrolled in a large number of advanced courses, is an honor roll student, is active in several school clubs and is also a dedicated volunteer. She was nominated for recognition by her teacher and FBLA adviser, Andy Fotopoulos. Alyssa plans on studying either law or broadcast journalism at NYU or Stony Brook.