School is back in full swing and DeKalb County High School recently announced its monthly recognitions of the student, parent, and teacher of the month. Each honoree received a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal from this month’s sponsor, El Rancho.

Senior Brynn Harvey was named Student of the Month, while Hope Carter, Comprehensive Development Classroom (CDC)/Special Education educator, was named Teacher of the Month. Paula Diego was named Parent of the Month, based on a winning essay written by her freshman daughter, Annaly Diego.

“Brynn was nominated by a teacher here at the school for ‘Student of the Month,’” said DCHS Assistant Principal Thomas Cagle. “All the other teachers voted on the student of the month from that list of students and Brynn was chosen. She is awesome.”

“Brynn helps out in so many ways with different clubs, activities, and events. She always has a great attitude and a big smile. She is exceptional all the way around and I think it’s awesome that the teachers recognized her attributes,” said Cagle.

Harvey said she is very blessed to have received the Student of the Month award. “I’m excited. It makes me very happy to know they see my efforts.”

Harvey is the 17-year-old daughter of Andrew and Alyssa Harvey, and serves as a student assistant for one of her teachers and helps out with another class. She is Captain of the high school tennis team and holds the Class of 2024 Reporter position. She said she wants to attend Tennessee Tech and major in Education after high school, and hopes to one day return to the DeKalb school system as a teacher.

Paula Diego was named “Parent of the Month” based on an essay written by her daughter, 14-year-old Annaly.  Paula was unable to attend due to work, but Annaly had high praise for her mom.

“My mom sacrificed a lot for us in our time with her and she has been one of the strongest people for us. She has always been there as our rock and to encourage and lift us up when we are down. We can talk to her about almost anything. She is the strongest person that we know. A single mom, she works two jobs and still finds a way to provide for and spend time with us and make sure we have everything we need and that we are always happy,” said Annaly.

“She is the best,” added Annaly’s 17-year-old sister Olivia, a Senior at DCHS. “I wouldn’t be where I am at without my mom,” she said.

“We had several submissions for our first essay this month, but Annaly did an especially good job. The purpose of these essays is for students to be able to tell us the amazing and great things their parents are doing for them whether it be sacrifices they have made or everyday encouragement. Annaly’s essay was one that just reached out to me and (Assistant Principal) Ms Jenny Norris when we were going through all the essays. It’s a great example of the hard work and sacrifice that our parents and guardians go through for our students each and every day to be able to make their children as successful as possible while they are here at DCHS,” said Cagle.

Annaly is a member of the Service Society, BETA, and Literature Clubs at DCHS and said she would like to attend college at either Tennessee Tech or MTSU and one day start a small business. “I would like to start my own business baking and crocheting because my grandmother taught me how to crochet and my mom sends me recipes sometimes”.

Hope Carter was named Teacher of the Month, and Cagle had some wonderful things to say about her.

“This is her second year here at the school. She took the place of Daniel Seber after he left last year to become Register of Deeds. She has done an amazing job. She came in learning while on the job. Hope and I have worked a lot together. She does amazing work with the CDC kids. The relationships she has been able to build and cultivate with those students is inspiring. She does such a good job working with them and also does a great job communicating with us (administration) and other teachers about the needs and ways we can help her help those students. We always try to find ways to make it a better day for them and she does a really good job leading that charge. We are very proud of her and grateful to have her here at the high school,” said Cagle.

“This is a blessing,” said Carter. “It’s been an honor to be here at the high school and work with these kids and help them in any way I can. I love what I am doing. I wake up every day excited to be here”.

Carter said she moved to Alexandria about three years ago and is a graduate of Watertown High School. Currently, Carter is working on a Master’s degree at Cumberland University. Previously she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology at MTSU. She recently became engaged to Cody Hale.