GK Junior Alahna Siegwarth Named ‘Student of the Month’ By KEC Program For Helping Fellow Student In Need

Genoa-Kingston High School Junior Alahna Siegwarth was recently recognized at one of the “Students of the Month” for November by the Kishwaukee Education Consortium program, also known as KEC, at Kishwaukee College.

“Being recognized as student of the month felt rewarding,” Siegwarth said. “I felt like there are so many people that could have gotten this award, especially some really smart and great kids in my class. I’m just really grateful that I was picked for student of the month.”

Siegwarth was recognized for her kindness and generosity when she offered to take notes for a fellow student who was struggling due to an arm cast — in addition to her own notes.

“Alahna has gone above and beyond helping another classmate take notes while in a cast,” the college wrote in an email. “She always has a smile to share, is engaged in the classroom, and is eager to learn new things.”

The KEC program is a 2-year program open to Juniors and Seniors who wish to get a headstart on a number of educational tracts. Because of her desire to help others, Siegwarth is enrolled in KEC’s CNA program and is preparing for a career in the medical field.

“My career goal is any occupation in the medical field from nursing to occupational therapy,” she explained. “I am really interested in making a difference in people lives and just helping them out with their struggles.”

An opportunity to do just that presented itself this semester, when a student in one of her classes was having difficulty keeping up with notes due to a cast. Not wanting her cohort to fall behind, Siegwarth jumped in to take handwritten notes for the both of them.

“I saw her struggling and knew it was hard for her to write,” Siegwarth explained. “I didn’t want her having trouble writing to affect her learning. I wrote most of her notes because I saw her struggling mostly with writing. I would take two separate notes because then we both would have them.”

It was a small gesture that Siegwarth said she was happy to extend to another student in need, she said.

“I understand how she would feel being in this situation, and I wanted to make it a little easier for her by just being a good friend.”