The Oakwood Times September Monthly

People
Oakwood Times
September Staff Member of the Month given to Pomatto
By Andrew Cook
Mrs. Christine Pomatto was given a loud congratulations at the 2017-18 year’s first pep
assembly for earning Oakwood High’s Staff Member of the Month this September. She was
given the symbolic white ‘O’ on the gym floor, in front of all the entire school body.
With her knack for arts and crafts, she designed the room identifiers for every classroom
in the school, as well as the staff T-shirts for the past two years. Pomatto did this all without
being on the Social Committee, who these tasks would normally go to. This kindness to the
school earned her a nomination from math teacher Laura Head, and eventually she was
voted Staff Member of the Month.
Pomatto went to the University of Illinois for a bachelor’s degree in art and design, and
afterwards worked as a special education teaching assistant. Following, she went to grad
school - as of today, she has her master’s degree in special education, also from the University
of Illinois. Pomatto has been a Special Education teacher at Oakwood High School.
At age nine, Pomatto made a close friend who had a physical disability. This greatly influenced
her career choice.
“I kind of grew up seeing different ways that people could do things,” she said.
This would lead her to begin volunteer work with special needs individuals while she
was in high school, and eventually to her current career.
Special education aside, Pomatto co-teaches general education courses such as English
II, Biology and Health. In her spare time, she enjoys doing other creative crafts and playing
with her two dogs.
Pomatto was chosen as Staff Member of the Montyh. (photo by Haley Hendrickson)
Lashuay chosen for Character Trait of the Month, Respect
By Haley Hendrickson
The September trait of the month was respect, and the
recipient was sophomore Caleb Lashuay. Lashuay participates
in soccer, wrestling and is academically inclined. He
takes challenging classes meant for juniors. Caleb is very
soft spoken and reserved, and he always speaks to others
with respect. This is the very reason Mr. Lee and the Recognition
Committee put Caleb up for nomination.
Mr. Lee
Character Trait of the Month. (photo by Oakwood TImes
Staff)
gave insight
on his perception
of respect
by sharing,
“When
someone
approaches
situations
and people
with a good
“When someone approaches
situations and people with a
good and/or proper attitude,
and understands their place,
that is respect.”
and/or proper attitude, and understands their place, that is
respect.”
Lee then shared that respect is an absolute expectation
for adults to receive from the student body. Knowing your
place amongst others is a common key that people need to
understand. Caleb shares all the qualities that Mr. Lee and
the staff had in mind for the trait of respect. He is mindful,
well-spoken, understands his place, polite, and so much
more.
In the eyes of the teachers and students he knows, Caleb
is an all-around good and respectable person. He actually
shared that he thought in order to be respectful and
respected by others you need to listen to what your elders
have to say to you and treat others how you wish to be
treated. It appears Caleb has quite a bright future ahead of
himself as he continues to set his own path and pace while
remaining focused. A level-headed student like himself has
the drive to take him far in life.
Lashuay waiting for his wrestling match during the 2016-
2017 season. (photo by Oakwood Times Staff)
September 29, 2017
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