“It was an extravaganza of lovely people.” This was the thought of senior Aaron Kidane, after the now-annual honor roll celebration on February 26th.

When people think “honor roll,” the first thing that comes to mind is not normally cake and ice cream, but this is just what Kidane and others received when they visited the hall near the gym at LAP on the 26th.

This year, students who achieved 3.0 and higher in the second quarter and third quarters, were entitled to have their name on the honor roll, and those who received A’s, B’s, and C’s earned the title of Panther Pride, which was not the honor roll but did earn one access for the cake-and-ice-cream extravaganza.

Honor Roll is a designation that the students who achieve academic excellence receive. At Paint Branch, this is bestowed upon students who receive good grades, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The honor roll is set at the end of each quarter.

This year’s honor roll party was accessible only to those with a certificate of identification that stated that they had achieved the honor roll or Panther Pride. Names were printed on the certificate, which kept those who had not quite earned these academic goals on the outside looking in. PB Signature Coordinator Ms. Candia ran the honor roll party, and had twenty staff members and some community members on hand to distribute cake and ice cream to students. There was also a DJ so people could enjoy the sounds of music while eating their ice cream and cake.

Security guarded the honor roll party, and served as kind of consolers for those who approached but could not get in. As eligible students first entered the event, they went to one of the tables and retrieved a plate of cake and ice cream. Students then walked around the area talking to friends and enjoying the cake and ice cream of their labor. Those who were eating were prohibited from leaving the event area so that no mess would be around the school. As students finished with their cake and ice cream, they approached tables for second helpings if it was available.

Students enjoyed themselves, including twelfth grader Mazula Awundago, who said about this event, “It was very orderly. There were big portions of food, and there were tons of people there. It was just very fun.”

Ms. Candia feels that this is a best reward for all the students’ hard work in order to achieve the Honor Roll. “The Honor Roll Party is a good rewarding system for kids for their accomplishments,” said Ms. Candia. It is entertaining, and they have a reason to achieve the Honor Roll. I enjoy hosting this event and seeing the kids who worked their hardest in achieving it.”