Seen, Celebrated, and Set Apart: How Ana Romero's Smile Transformed a Student of the Week Award into a Powerful Story of Leadership, Belonging, and Hope

2 days ago
6 min read

By Levi Lee

On a warm Friday afternoon the classroom inside the Jegna Klub Headquarters on Quindaro Boulevard felt different.

The television studio lights cast a soft glow across the room. Cameras stood quietly in place. Awards rested neatly on a table waiting for their moment. Conversations echoed between educators, support members and community leaders who had gathered for something that, at first glance, seemed simple—a student recognition ceremony.

But what unfolded inside those walls became something much greater.

For a few unforgettable moments, the world slowed down for one young girl.

Fifth-grader Ana Romero from Grant Elementary School wasn't being recognized for scoring the winning basket or earning the highest test score. She was being celebrated for something even more enduring—her character.

And as she stepped forward to receive the J.E.G.N.A. Klub Student of the Week Award, everyone in attendance witnessed exactly what happens when a community chooses to intentionally see a child.

The smile on Ana's face said everything words could not.

The J.E.G.N.A. Klub Student of the Week Award has never simply been about handing a student a plaque or taking a photograph. Created to recognize young people whose everyday actions reflect leadership, kindness, perseverance, respect, and integrity, the program exists to remind students that who they are matters just as much as what they accomplish.

Each recipient is nominated by an educator or trusted adult who sees those qualities lived out consistently.

For Ana, that nominator was school social worker Suzannah Burris, someone who has watched her grow not only academically but personally.

As friends, educators, and community members shared stories about Ana, it became evident that this recognition wasn't manufactured for a ceremony—it had been earned one quiet act of character at a time.

The room itself reflected what the Jegna Klub has worked to build throughout Wyandotte County.

Nine people gathered inside the headquarters that afternoon. Teachers sat beside community leaders. Students observed adults speaking life into another young person. There were no barriers separating professions, generations, or backgrounds.

Only encouragement.

Grant Elementary School counselor Rachel Pollock perhaps summarized the afternoon best.

"Celebrating Ana and hearing her character being seen by people who know and care about her."

That phrase—"being seen"—captured the heart of the entire experience.

Children often hear correction.

Far fewer hear adults publicly describe the good they consistently bring into the world.

That was different this day.

Throughout the ceremony, Ana listened as adults she respected spoke not only about what she had done, but about who she had become.

Jegna Klub Board Chairman Joshua Criswell, serving as one of the presenters, noticed something equally meaningful.

"The support from the teachers."

Recognition, after all, carries even greater weight when it comes from those who spend every day investing in a student's future.

Educators understand the difficult days.

They know the setbacks.

They witness the growth few others ever see.

When they choose to celebrate a student publicly, the message resonates differently.

For Ana, it became a defining moment.

Her own words afterward were wonderfully simple.

"I feel happy."

Sometimes the most profound truths require only three words.

As adults reflected on the ceremony, many found themselves talking less about the award itself and more about Ana's reaction.

Suzannah Burris couldn't hide her admiration.

"Ana felt so special to be celebrated here today. Her reaction was priceless. The honoring atmosphere for her was beautiful, and the adults having a space to share how amazing Ana is without interruption was wonderful."

It wasn't simply applause.

It was affirmation.

It wasn't merely recognition.

It was belonging.

From across the room, Coach Mo, founder of the Jegna Klub and coordinator of the Student of the Week Award initiative, watched something that cameras can never fully capture.

"The sparkle in Ana's eyes."

That sparkle represented possibility.

It represented confidence taking root.

It represented a child realizing that people beyond her classroom believed in her future.

Wyatt later reflected that moments like these tell students they are surrounded by a community committed to their success.

"She is a bright shining star, and I believe this lets her know she is seen and there is a community of people that care about her and support her achieving success."

That sense of community stretched beyond the room.

One of the most meaningful observations came from Payton Towers, who attended as a community member.

What stayed with him wasn't the speeches.

It wasn't the awards.

It was representation.

"The Hispanic heritage."

His reflection served as a reminder that when young people see students from diverse backgrounds celebrated for excellence, entire communities begin to recognize themselves in success.

Asked what this recognition promotes, his answer was refreshingly direct.

"To be good in school."

Sometimes inspiration begins exactly there.

Among those presenting the award was Judge Tony Martinez, whose longstanding partnership with the Jegna Klub has helped elevate the program across Wyandotte County.

After the ceremony, he reflected on what made the afternoon memorable.

"This young lady was so happy to receive this award. A very kind and respectful young lady who held her head very high. I enjoyed doing it at the Jegna Klub headquarters with Coach Mo himself as coordinator. A great heartfelt experience."

Judge Martinez believes moments like these create ripple effects extending well beyond one recipient.

"There is not a doubt in my mind this young lady was excited to receive this award and will tell her friends about her achievements. This will reflect on others and encourage them to move forward to try and earn this award also."

That is precisely the vision.

Recognition inspires effort.

Effort creates leadership.

Leadership transforms communities.

The Student of the Week initiative continues because of partnerships with organizations that believe investing in young people changes neighborhoods. Community support from the Kansas City Kansas Schools Foundation for Excellence, Eastside Innovation, Nu Wall Street, Henderson Entertainment, 103.7 DaBeat, New Solutions Network, Leah's Laundromat on the Q in partnership with Procter & Gamble, and Sonic Drive-In at 920 State Avenue helps make these celebrations possible and reinforces that youth achievement deserves community-wide recognition.

Kansas City Kansas Schools Foundation for Excellence
Eastside Innovation/Eastside Opportunities
Henderson Entertainment
103.7 DaBeat
New Solutions Network
Nu Wall Street
Leah's Laundromat on the Q
Proctor & Gamble
Sonic Drive In at 920 State Ave in KCK

Every comment after the ceremony echoed the same conclusion.

Every participant rated the program as 5 out of 5 for its positive influence on students.

Their descriptions varied, but together they painted one picture.

Rachel Pollock saw confidence, persistence, encouragement, positive engagement, and leadership.

Joshua Criswell emphasized self-confidence.

Suzannah Burris highlighted empowerment and encouragement.

Judge Martinez pointed to self-confidence and leadership in young women.

Ana herself summed it up in a single word. "Important."

Perhaps no other word better captures what recognition truly becomes in the life of a child.

As another school year approaches, the Jegna Klub is encouraging educators, counselors, administrators, coaches, mentors, and community members to nominate deserving students for the 2026–2027 Student of the Week Award. Every school has students whose quiet leadership, resilience, kindness, and determination deserve to be celebrated—and every nomination helps build a culture where character matters.

That investment continues beyond recognition.

On Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 1:00 - 3:30 pm community families are invited to continue that journey during the next Economic Independence Academy Workshop, where financial literacy, investing, real estate, debt reduction, career readiness, and economic empowerment will take center stage through presentations from Chris Dunlap, JaEvon Marshall, Allen Larkins, Robin Humphrey, and guest speaker Commissioner Jermaine Howard.

Workshop Details:

Saturday, July 11, 2026

1:00 – 3:30 PM

1718 Quindaro Blvd

Kansas City, KS 66101

Workshop Topics Include:

• Investing & Stock Market Basics

• Real Estate & Homeownership Pathways

• Debt Free 4 Life Family Financial Planning

• Career Literacy

✔️ Free to attend

✔️ Spanish interpreter available

⚠️ Attendance limited to 100 participants

RSVP is required to attend.

Please reserve your spot by clicking here:

As the ceremony concluded, the applause faded and the cameras powered down. But one thing remained.

A fifth-grade student walked out of the Jegna Klub Headquarters standing a little taller than when she walked in.

She carried more than an award.

She carried the unmistakable knowledge that her character had been noticed, her future believed in, and her story celebrated.

And sometimes, that is exactly how lasting change begins—not through grand speeches or headlines, but through a room full of people who choose to tell one child:

We see you. We believe in you. Keep shining.

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