The 2007-08 school year was very difficult for me. Most in the Key Peninsula Community know that my wife Terri died in July. I spent most of the second semester at home with her. Like any teacher, I was concerned about my classes while I was away from school. Fortunately for me I had a seasoned teacher covering for me while I was at home with Terri. One of those classes was the Newsletter Class. I've always taken pride in the fact that this class is completely student driven. During the second semester of the 2007-08 school year I was able to see just how student driven the class actually is. My Chief Editor and Publisher, Kayla Burton, completely took charge. The fate of the class truly rested in her hands. Of course, the entire class rallied behind Kayla to produce some of the finest work the Eye Of The Cougar class has ever produced. Still, it was because of her fabulous leadership skills that the newsletter even came out at all.
I apologize for the baseball analogy but, in baseball, there is what is known as the five tool player. Such a player can throw, catch, run, hit, and hit for power. Kayla is a five tool student. She is creative, self motivated, self disciplined, can lead, and can lead by example. With these tools she was able to lead the Eye of the Cougar class to write, edit, produce, print, and distribute some of the best newsletters Key Peninsula Middle School has ever had the pleasure to read.
Kayla came to class each and every day enthusiastic to get started. She was always very focused. Like many former Top Cougars, especially those who were Chief Editor and Producer of the newsletter class, she was a perfectionist always producing the highest quality work. Kayla was always willing to tackle the most difficult stories herself and she was always willing to help students who struggled with their stories. Kayla enjoyed school and all the challenges education has to offer. She pushed herself and was always being her "own best self". What I probably enjoyed most about Kayla was her smile. She was one of those people you just like being around and that is a characteristic that will always serve her well in the future. Kayla, congratulations for being selected Top Cougar for 2008!
Mike Hunziker
