Congratulations to eighth grade student, Madison “Maddy” Dougher, who was presented as recipient of the 2024-2025 Student of the Year Award at the February 18, 2025, school board meeting. Maddy was accompanied by her parents, Ryan and Shannon Dougher. Many of her present and former middle school teachers were in attendance for this honor.

For this recognition, an 8th grade student is selected for his/her contributions in making CCMS a great school through his/her student involvement in school and community activities and demonstrating The Core Values of Falcon Pride: Positive Attitude, Work Hard, Do What is Right, Share your Talents.

In presenting Madison, Mr. Burton shared comments from the CCMS staff that spoke to her kindness, strength, courage, fortitude, positivity, strong work ethic, excellence as a student, friendliness, and strong character.

Some of Maddy’s activities in her school and community include participating in drama, chorus and the yearbook teams; serving in her church praise band and at the Fresh Start shelter; and being a role model for younger students at vacation bible school and drama camp.

Following his presentation of Madison to the Board, Mr. Burton offered her the opportunity to speak to the Board and guests attending that evening. Below is a transcription of Maddy’s Student of the Year speech.

“Thank you, Mr. Burton. And thank you to everyone who is here to support me this evening – my family, friends, CCMS staff and Administrators, and my teachers – past and present. Thank you to the School Board. And most of all, I thank God for all of this.

“It is truly, truly an honor to even be part of the nominee group for Student of the Year. Every student who was nominated is an incredible human, and they deserve to be recognized every bit as much as I do. As I thought about the character of this group of nominees, I thought about our core values as a school, and especially about the phrase “Do what is right”. As a student of CCMS, and in life, doing what is right means giving 110%, sharing all you have to offer, and putting forth that extra little bit of effort in daily endeavors. It means putting others first and being there when someone is in need.

“Doing what is right means persevering when things get tough, even when it is hard to hope. Doing what is right is the hope. Everyone can have an impact, no matter how small. The world, and middle school, is a beautiful, scary, joyous, messy place. There will always be ups and downs, but as students and citizens, doing what is right helps to shine a light. Kindness works miracles, and words and actions have power.

“John Wesley once said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can”, and I will continue to do my best.”

Cedar Crest Middle School

Cedar Crest Middle School

Madison Dougher is CCMS 2024-2025 Student of the Year Recipient