Student of the month: Rileigh Lambert

     Each month, Monticello High School nominates a student who exhibits positive behavior, as part of an initiative called PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). The students support the school’s characteristics of Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Safety, and Integrity.

     MHS senior Rileigh Lambert sees being named Student of the Month as an honor.

     MHS Spanish teacher Mike Meshak nominated Lambert: “She is a very diligent student, always on top of her studies, and yet has a lot of extracurricular activities going on. She comes in to get assignments if she is gone and is very personable and friendly.”

     Lambert said, “It’s good to know he sees the work I’ve put in. It’s very cool.”

     Lambert found out about her honor mid-week.

     In terms of balancing her schoolwork and extra curricular activities, Lambert said during her open block to catch up on work or assignments she’s missed, and to get her homework done.

     “I stay at school and work in the library,” she said.

     She admitted she’s not a morning person, but comes in early to work as well or attend band practice.

     The first thing she does when get arrives home from school is to get her homework done.

     “I don’t like to procrastinate,” she said.

     Meshak also acknowledged Lambert’s friendly personality.

     “I’m not afraid to talk to my teachers and I ask a lot of questions,” she said.

     As her senior year and high school career comes to an end, Lambert said she feels less stressed.

     “Finals are done,” she said.

     As an outgoing student, Lambert is involved in a lot of activities: band, jazz band, volleyball, individual and group speech, track manager, and pit band for musicals.

     After getting hurt early in the season, she chose not to pursue track this year. Instead, she took on the role of manager.

     “I still wanted to be involved,” she said.

     Lambert is also president of National Honor Society and the Eastern Iowa chapter of NCYL (National Council on Youth Leadership).

     Looking back on her four years in high school, Lambert said she’s enjoyed hanging out with her friends every day, and associating with students in all the grades, as well as the teachers. She especially enjoys band class, in which she plays the piano. Lambert said it was great news hearing the MHS band made it to IBA (Iowa Bandmasters Association).

     On May 11, the band will perform a 50-minute concert, longer than they’ve ever performed before.

     “It’s really intense right now in band,” said Lambert. “It’s a different atmosphere in the band room.”

     Lambert also gave props to MHS band teacher, Michael Kowbel, who will be leaving the district at the end of the school year.

     “Even though band is a class,” she said, “he’s made it feel like a fun extracurricular.”

     Looking ahead to graduation, Lambert plans to attend University in Davenport to double major in elementary education and special education. She has a goal of pursuing her master’s degree in speech pathology.

     “Education will be my backup plan is can’t find something with speech pathology,” she said. “Either way, I’m helping students.”

     Lambert shared a touching story about seeing her younger brothers battle speech problems and overcome those obstacles in life.

     “I sat in on their speech sessions and can see myself doing that, too. What those therapists do is so cool,” she said. “I want to work with kids.”

     In her free time, Lambert enjoys riding her four-wheeler, playing piano, and attending her brothers’ many sporting events.

     She is the daughter of Todd and Cheyanna Lambert of Monticello.