8th Grade Awards
Department and School-wide Awards are one special way that we acknowledge some of our outstanding 8th-grade students. Each spring the staff decides upon the recipients of these awards, which are described below. Award winners and their families are invited to attend an awards ceremony held the last week of school.
Department Awards
English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Electives, PE, Library
Kiwanis Awards
We are fortunate to have awards sponsored by the Los Gatos Kiwanis Association. These awards can vary from year to year but recognize excellence beyond classroom academics.
School-Wide Awards
Jeff Peckler Memorial Award
The Jeff Peckler Memorial Award acknowledges the student who demonstrates awareness, sensitivity, and respect for others’ feelings, experiences, and culture. The recipient demonstrates personal, social, and civic responsibility through ethical and empathetic behaviors.
The Jeff Peckler Memorial Award acknowledges the student who demonstrates awareness, sensitivity, and respect for others’ feelings, experiences, and culture. The recipient demonstrates personal, social, and civic responsibility through ethical and empathetic behaviors.
This award recognizes the student who embodies the spirit of kindness and compassion that were so much a part of Jeff Peckler’s character. Jeff considered the effect his actions had on others. As an example, when running for student body office, Jeff chose to run for an office that would not compete with his friends who were running. He had taken into consideration how his friends would feel if they lost in the election and found a collaborative solution that benefited all. This award recognizes the LGUSD Student Success Profile attribute of Collaboration.
Andrea Rugani School Spirit Award
The Andrea Rugani School Spirit Award is given to a student who exhibits exceptional school spirit throughout their years at Fisher Middle School. The award is given in honor of Andrea Rugani for her dedicated years of service as Student Activities Director. The recipient actively listens, elicits diverse perspectives and uses their voice to communicate for a range of purposes and audiences. This award recognizes the LGUSD Student Success Profile attribute of Communication.
Alexis Briski Cornerstone Award
The Alexis Briski Cornerstone Award is given to the student who is a true Project Cornerstone “asset-builder” among their peers and within the school community. Alexis was a strong, determined and courageous young person. She was an outstanding softball pitcher, a true team player, and a motivated student. She loved Fisher and was a friend to many. She demonstrated concern for others and never took a moment of her life, cut short by cancer, for granted.
Andrea Rugani School Spirit Award
The Andrea Rugani School Spirit Award is given to a student who exhibits exceptional school spirit throughout their years at Fisher Middle School. The award is given in honor of Andrea Rugani for her dedicated years of service as Student Activities Director. The recipient actively listens, elicits diverse perspectives and uses their voice to communicate for a range of purposes and audiences. This award recognizes the LGUSD Student Success Profile attribute of Communication.
Alexis Briski Cornerstone Award
The Alexis Briski Cornerstone Award is given to the student who is a true Project Cornerstone “asset-builder” among their peers and within the school community. Alexis was a strong, determined and courageous young person. She was an outstanding softball pitcher, a true team player, and a motivated student. She loved Fisher and was a friend to many. She demonstrated concern for others and never took a moment of her life, cut short by cancer, for granted.
Alexis was the epitome of adaptability. Throughout her life, she was quick to pivot to keep moving forward. She responded productively to all that came her way, be it praise or setbacks. She worked effectively and confidently in a climate of constant challenge and change. This award recognizes the LGUSD Student Success Profile attribute of Adaptability.
Outstanding Academic Scholar Award
The Outstanding Academic Scholar Award recognizes the student who best represents an understanding of the “bigger picture” and proposes creative solutions that are mindful of the larger impact on the world around them. The Fisher faculty acknowledges the student who consistently improves the quality of their thinking through self-reflection, analysis, and reconstruction of meaning. In doing so, the student makes their fellow students stronger thinkers as well. The recipient has applied disciplined but flexible thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence or experience. This award recognizes the LGUSD Student Success Profile attribute of Critical Thinking.
Alex Solis Student-Athlete Award
The Alex Solis Student-Athlete Award recognizes the student who embraces curiosity and develops a steadfastness in achieving success despite difficulty, opposition, or failure. The recipient understands that setbacks and resilience are a part of the learning process and demonstrates excellence in the classroom and on the playing field.
Outstanding Academic Scholar Award
The Outstanding Academic Scholar Award recognizes the student who best represents an understanding of the “bigger picture” and proposes creative solutions that are mindful of the larger impact on the world around them. The Fisher faculty acknowledges the student who consistently improves the quality of their thinking through self-reflection, analysis, and reconstruction of meaning. In doing so, the student makes their fellow students stronger thinkers as well. The recipient has applied disciplined but flexible thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence or experience. This award recognizes the LGUSD Student Success Profile attribute of Critical Thinking.
Alex Solis Student-Athlete Award
The Alex Solis Student-Athlete Award recognizes the student who embraces curiosity and develops a steadfastness in achieving success despite difficulty, opposition, or failure. The recipient understands that setbacks and resilience are a part of the learning process and demonstrates excellence in the classroom and on the playing field.
Alex was a strong athlete and a highly motivated student. He had a positive attitude and belief about his learning. He possessed the desire to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Alex, whose life was cut short by cancer, was an amazing young man with strong determination and a competitive spirit. This award recognizes the LGUSD Student Success Profile attribute of the Learner’s Mindset.
The Wesley Walton Service Award
The Wesley Walton Service Award recognizes the student who has demonstrated extraordinary service to Fisher Middle School and the community. The recipient understands how to balance diverse views and beliefs to reach workable solutions. By creating environments that empower others to grow and succeed, building relationships through trust and compassion, and taking responsibility for their part in a team project, this student has empowered others to do their part.
The Wesley Walton Service Award
The Wesley Walton Service Award recognizes the student who has demonstrated extraordinary service to Fisher Middle School and the community. The recipient understands how to balance diverse views and beliefs to reach workable solutions. By creating environments that empower others to grow and succeed, building relationships through trust and compassion, and taking responsibility for their part in a team project, this student has empowered others to do their part.
Eighth-grade students who have been active in student government-supported school activities and participated in sports, music, scouts, or a religious institution’s youth group can apply for this award. This award recognizes the LGUSD Student Success Profile attribute of Empathy.
Updated: June 2024