Student Stairclimber Award / November 2025 Stairclimbers

Erie's Public Schools Student Stairclimber Awards

Erie's Public Schools strives to always celebrate the success of our students. As part of that initiative, the Stairclimber Award is presented monthly at regular School Board meetings (from October through May) to one student from each building, recognizing their tenacity, grit and perseverance toward making improvements in their ABC's -- Attendance, Behavior and Classroom Performance.

The EPS Stairclimber Award, which stems from PA School Climate Data feedback and Strategic Plan Survey results, supports our district-wide movement of School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (SWPBIS).

Meet our November 2025 Stairclimbers!

Castiel Acosta, East Middle School, 8th grade

"Castiel has improved his overall behavior this school year and is working hard in the classroom improving his grades. Castiel greets everyone with a smile in the morning and often a fist bump. We are brought of the work he has put in for the first quarter and has no behavior referrals for the school year so far."

Taylor Askins, Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, 12th grade

"Taylor was absent from school for a large part of last year, but this year she has improved her attendance greatly. She has shown tremendous improvement in attendnace and shares her wonderful voice in chorus and her desire to pursue an AP class this year. We are proud of her as she navigates her senior year!"

Liam Austin, Jefferson Elementary School, 5th grade

"We nominated Liam Austin because of his hard work and dedication in 5th grade this year. Ever since the first week of school his teacher has seen him trying his best in every subject! He always asks what we are doing each day for CKLA, iReady, and Science. He is always ready to learn and really appreciates the feedback his teacher gives him. Liam has shown tremendous growth this year—he is completing significantly more classwork than last school year and has made remarkable improvements in his behavior. His increased focus and positive attitude have made a noticeable difference in his academic progress. Liam is also an amazing artist and loves to spend his free time creating artwork for himself and teachers! Keep up the great work Liam, we have enjoyed watching you succeed this year!"

Alleyah Bonilla, Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School, 3rd grade

"Alleyah is so helpful, compliant, and demonstrates all of our PB expectations. She goes above and beyond to be helpful to her classmates! She is always at school and is a high achieving student. Alleyah is an all around amazing student!"

Mycah Clark, Diehl Elementary School, 1st grade

"We are so proud to celebrate our Diehl Eagle, Mycah for earning the Erie’s Public Schools Stairclimber Award — a district-wide honor recognizing students.
He always brings a contagious, joyful spirit into the room each day. He shows up ready to work hard, stays focused, and is determined to do his personal best. His positive energy lifts others and inspires everyone around him to keep climbing higher."

Mathew Evans, Erie High School, 12th grade

"Matt exemplifies what it means to be a true Royal. Each morning—long before the school day begins—he arrives at 6:30 a.m. to voluntarily clean the school grounds, showing pride in our campus and deep dedication to our school community. Throughout the year, Matt spreads joy by playing holiday and themed music as he moves from class to class, bringing positive energy and lifting the spirits of those around him. Thank you, Matt, for making Erie High a better place. Mathew — you are seen, heard, and valued."

Robert Gilmer, Harding Elementary School, 4th grade

"I would like to nominate Robert Gilmer. Robert has matured greatly since last school year and the beginning of this year. He is polite, helpful and kind. Robert minds his own business and has a group of really nice friends. His grades have improved greatly since the beginning of the year and he takes his school work seriously. He is a very focused, responsible, safe and respectful young man. I am very happy and lucky to have him in class this year. He is a lot of fun to have in class and has a great sense of humor!"

Cora King, Lincoln Elementary School, kindergarten

"Cora has done an amazing job with learning routines. She is now showing a positive attitude when coming to school. She has a smile each morning when she gets off her bus. She has also improved with following both classroom behavioral routines and academic routines. Way to go, Cora! "

Zionna Lee, Patrick J. DiPaolo Student Success Center at Emerson Gridley/Erie's Public Schools Cyber Choice Academy, 12th grade

"Zionna Lee has attended Emerson-Gridley for the past two years. She started in the Recovery program and is currently in our cyber program. Ms. Lee came to us behind on her credits. In the past Zionna was aggressive and unmotivated with her academics. But not this year. This year is her year. She has finished 5.5 credits so far this year. She is setting her activity bar high completing 114 activities the first week of school, 371 activities the second week clocking 53 hours of time put into her academics in one week. Not only is she excelling in her academic but her attitude toward school and towards staff has changed dramatically since last year. She comes to school on time, with a smile on her face, and ready to learn. With numbers like she has been putting up, and her new attitude Zionna is sure to finish her graduation requirments early."

Ilianys Morales Rodriguez, Wilson Middle School, 7th grade

"Ilianys Morales Rodriguez has shown great leadership qualities throughout the first part of the school year. She consistently attends school and all of her classes on time, participates in class activites, dependable, and kind to her classmates. Ilianys has shown she is a positive role model to her classmates and teachers."

Jayme Ortiz, Perry Elementary School, 3rd grade

"Jayme Ortiz has made HUGE strides this year so far with making good choices. He responds well to redirection, works hard in class, and is working on asking for help when he needs it. Jayme is very social, has a love for learning, and has been enjoyable to have in class. Jayme has come so far compared to how he was choosing to act in second grade. His behavior this year has become a blueprint for other students who have had struggles in the past and demonstrates the changes that students can make if they put forth effort. We are very proud of Jayme's progress and that he is representing Perry Elementary!!!"

Layla Parker, Strong Vincent Middle School, 7th grade

"Layla Parker has transitioned into middle school like a champ. Kind. Hardworking. Engaged. When it comes to our most valuable players in sixth grade - - she's at the top of the list. Layla makes Strong Vincent a better place...just by being in it."

Jermany Phillips, McKinley Elementary School, 5th grade

"Jermany is one of the hardest working students in our class. She is ALWAYS on task, participating, and asking questions when needed. She also was promoted to a Captain this year for consistently following school and classroom expectations and being such a positive role model for other students. We are SO proud of you, "Big Jerm!""

Khloe Ruggiero, Grover Cleveland Elementary School, 3rd grade

"Khloe is always in school ready to learn and is always displaying the 3B's of the school. Comes prepared and always gives her best."

Taliona Wright, Edison Elementary School, 1st grade

"Taliona is a bundle of love, energy, and kindness. She has learned to regulate her emotions and communicate her feelings, which was a challenge last year. She is often noticed being a trusted helper for her teacher and other adults. Each day she is responsible for her classes' cafeteria name tags and takes this job seriously. We are so proud of the growth Taliana has made and so proud to have her here at Edison!"

Not pictured:

Mahailya Porter, JoAnna Connell Elementary School, 4th grade

"Mahailya Porter is a fourth-grade student in Ms. Carman's class and is a great example of a Stairclimber! She came to our building new this year and is a standout Connell Cougar. You can always catch her being respectful, responsible, and safe while being a role model for her classmates. Mahailya came to our school and was ready for a fresh start to an amazing school year. She is starting to become more confident in herself academically. Mahailya has really come out of her shell and is participating more and more in class. She is a hardworker that really cares about keeping up with her schoolwork and grades. She is also a great friend to everyone she meets. Keep up the good work Mahailya! We are all proud of you and can't wait to see you continue to grow this year!"

ERIE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Student Stairclimber Award

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