On Friday, September 25, Principal Ms. Jeanette Dixon announced the first Panther-of-the-Month for the 2009-2010 school years.

 “It is a pleasure for me to be here,” she said to the television audience. She started out by explaining to all the incoming ninth graders what Panther-of-the-Month is, and how it works as far as being selected.

She informed everyone of the ninth grade Panther-of-the-Month, Ancha Jaiteh. Ms.Dixon handed Ancha a book titled This Child Will be Great by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and a Paint Branch pennant, as she did for everyone else. Ancha seemed to be really thrilled with the honor and stated, “I am happy to be the first freshman Panther-of-the-Month for the school year.”

Ms. Dixon then announced tenth grader Joshua Park. She gave him the book The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown as well as a pennant.

For eleventh grade, the award was given to Tiffany Willacy, who was handed Lisa See’s Shanghai Girls. Ms. Dixon shook her hand and congratulated Tiffany.

Last, but not least, came senior Panther-of-the-Month Mia Lancaster, who was on honor roll for the entire year as a junior; Mia was being rewarded for all her hard work. Ms. Dixon gave Mia Edward Kennedy’s Memoir by Edward M. Kennedy.