Tencza of Scales Elementary honored with Goodall Homes Student of the Month award

(Williamson Herald- By Derby Jones. Click HERE for full article) When Ben Tencza, a fifth grade student at Scales Elementary in Brentwood, went to school last Friday, he had no idea he would be presented an award in front of the entire student body. Tencza was awarded the Goodall Homes Student of the month award during the Friday morning assembly. Not only did the entire school get to witness Ben receive the award, but his parents, Jen and Matt, along with sister Morgan showed up to surprise him as well. “I was very surprised, I was thinking I wish my family could be here,” said Tencza. “Then I felt my dad’s arm around me, saw my sister and mom and that’s when I teared up because they were there.” Tenczas’ fifth grade teacher Kate Hays nominated him for his community service activities such as raising and lowering the American flag in front of the school and helping to set up the car line area for younger students. As Ms. Hays read the nomination, several students thought it might be Ben when she stated “he always has a smile on his face.” “Everyone around me started tapping me saying, ‘I think it’s you,’ ” said Tencza. Hays went on to say that “Ben always has a smile on his face and a positive attitude! He meets academic challenges with tenacity. Ben is highly respected by his peers because he is the definition of a true-friend — supportive, caring, open-minded, and a team player.” Tencza’s favorite subject is math and he wants to become a pediatric doctor or architect one day. When Ben is not at school he enjoys tennis, Legos, robotics and cooking with his mom. “The sky is the limit for Ben,” said Melody Scott, one of his fifth grade teachers. “He is the ultimate friend and classmate and we’re so proud of him winning this award.” It was evident last Friday that his class and teachers were all in agreement that Ben Tencza was a deserving winner of the Goodall Homes Student of the month. “We are proud to sponsor this award so we can acknowledge students like Ben,” said Rachael Overall, marketing director for Goodall Homes. “He is exactly the kind of student that deserves the recognition, not only a good student but good person and community minded.” If you would like to send in a nomination for the Goodall Homes Student of the month, go to www.williamsonherald.com and click on the home tab for the nomination page.