In the spirit of empowering young leaders, the Jegna Klub Student of the Week Award celebrates students across Wyandotte County for their exceptional leadership, advocacy, and positive influence on their peers and community. This week’s recipient, Romisha Thulung Rai, embodies these values in every way, proving that greatness shines through humility, dedication, and compassion.
The term “Jegna,” derived from Ethiopian culture, traditionally describes someone with the courage and commitment to protect and uplift their community. The Jegna Klub reimagines this concept with an acronym that reflects the qualities we seek to honor: Justice, Empowerment, Growth, Nurturing, and Advocacy. Each week, this award highlights students who not only excel academically but also embody these principles, setting an example that inspires others.
Romisha, a student at New Chelsea Elementary School, was nominated by her school counselor, Mr. Frank Angel, for her remarkable character and consistent leadership. “Romisha is a model student here at New Chelsea. As a school counselor, I am often in awe of how Romisha models for her peers the expectations and behaviors that I am teaching in classroom lessons and beyond. She is always respectful to adults and other students, always willing to help her peers when they need guidance or clarity on something, and participates in my classroom lessons on a really meaningful and engaging level. She excels academically and has not missed a single day or even been tardy to school this year! I often feel that we, as educators, do not spend as much time recognizing the positives over the negatives in our environments - Romisha is definitely a positive here at New Chelsea.”
The Jegna Klub Student of the Week Award, presented in collaboration with the KCK Schools Foundation for Excellence, strives to highlight these outstanding achievements and the positive role models within our schools. The recognition ceremony was led by the honorable Judge Tony Martinez, who spoke of the importance of celebrating students like Romisha: “New Chelsea Elementary is a true representation of the diversity we cherish in WYCO/KCK. Mr. Angel shared that Romisha is a native of Myanmar, and the school proudly displays her country’s flag in the atrium. Imagine her delight in receiving the award for her achievements right under the flag that represents her heritage. It’s a powerful indication of her potential and the bright future she has ahead of her.”
The award ceremony was an uplifting experience for everyone involved, shining a spotlight on Romisha’s achievements and reminding her peers that hard work and kindness do not go unnoticed. Coach Keyz, the Jegna Klub Student of the Week facilitator, shared his reflections on the event: “The recognition experience went well, and it was rewarding to see how Romisha, through her shy demeanor, appreciated the honor. It’s important to show students that good things come from hard work. Recognizing and rewarding their efforts can have a lasting positive impact on their outlook and future goals.”
This award is not solely about academic success; it’s about students like Romisha who go above and beyond, leading by example and supporting their peers and communities. Through her actions, Romisha has displayed the qualities that Jegna Klub values: she stands for justice, showing respect and fairness to everyone around her; she embodies empowerment, lifting her classmates and contributing to a positive school environment; she exemplifies growth, both personally and academically; she nurtures others, offering a helping hand to those in need; and she demonstrates advocacy by standing up for what’s right.
Nominate a Student Today!
The Jegna Klub invites all staff members and community partners to nominate students from Kindergarten through college who demonstrate the core values of a Jegna. Nominees should be currently enrolled in Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas schools or a college graduate from a KCK high school, with strong records in academics, behavior, and attendance. We look for students who empower their peers and embody the qualities of leadership, responsibility, and advocacy.
Nominations are open to non-relative adults and can be submitted each Friday by 3:00 pm on the Jegna Klub website.
Through this award, the Jegna Klub strives to uplift youth, reinforcing that they have the potential to be the leaders of tomorrow. Join us in celebrating and nominating outstanding students who, like Romisha, are making a difference in their schools and communities.
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