Face it. Middle school can be tough.
You remember.
Brener Wrachford, however, is an island of mediation at Westwood Middle School, where he’s enrolled in 8th grade.
Principal John Conrad praises Brener, in fact, for his ability to simply get along with everyone –while quelling the meaner side of life in the hallway at the same time.
That’s why Brener was named November’s Student of the Month for Monongalia County Schools.
Superintendent Eddie Campbell Jr. interviewed Brener for the recognition in a video currently featured on the district’s website at https://boe.mono.k12.wv.us/.
Such amenability, Campbell said, has empathic echoes back to kindergarten, where lessons of kindness and compassion are taught daily.
“Why is that so important to you,” the superintendent asked Brener, “that you get along with your peers and your teachers?”
“Just the respect out of it,” came the reply. “I like being on the same page as everyone.”
Which prompted a follow-up question from Campbell: “What kinds of things do you do at school, to really help out and make school a better place?”
Brener’s answer arrived quickly.
“I just try and find little – I guess, discrepancies – you might say,” came the response.
The biggest discrepancy being the act of bullying, which, for kids on the receiving end, makes for days of dread.
Brener isn’t timid about stepping into the middle of the fray, he said.
That, he does without hesitation, if said bullying occurs anywhere he is – be it in the classroom, cafeteria or hallway.
“It’s like, ‘Just knock it off, OK? Don’t to that, please.’”
Which, in turn, makes Campbell, a former school principal, smile.
“I appreciate that, Brener,” he said. “That, and the fact that you’re taking on that responsibility.”
The district launched the Student of the Month promotion in October.
It was created by Campbell with the help of Teresa Nass, the district’s communication director.
The superintendent said he likes that there are students out there being de facto teachers to their classmates – without even realizing.
“We’re talking about the kids,” Campbell said, “who show up every day and simply do the right thing.”