The Fort Dodge Community School District announces the May 2025 Students and Employee of the Month honorees. This program recognizes one elementary, one middle school, and one high school student, as well as one staff member, monthly for exceeding expectations.

Kamari Bivines is the Elementary Student of the Month. Bivines attends Butler Elementary.

Emma Herold nominated Kamari, writing, “Kamari participates in discussions and asks thoughtful questions. He goes above and beyond and aims for high-quality work. Finally, he uses his time wisely and continues to strive for excellence! Kamari listens when others are speaking, offers to help others who are struggling, and is truthful in all situations even when it’s hard. He consistently does the right thing every single day and is an amazing role model for all other students.”

Jace Bockoven is the Middle School Student of the Month.

Allysen Ayala nominated Bockoven, writing, “Jace is new to our district this year and leads our class by example. He is always on task and goes above and beyond his every day work. Every day Jace has a smile on his face. He will do the right thing even when others are making poor choices.

“Jace also knows how to have fun while understanding where the line is at. This is something that is difficult to do in middle school. There is not a student on our pod who is more deserving than Jace. He knows what it takes to be a Dodger: kind, hard-working, and caring!”

Abigail Casciato is the Senior High Student of the Month.

Amy Hinders nominated Casciato, writing, “Abigail is a gifted student who seems to fly through classes with ease. Her intelligence is matched by her motivation to want to learn. As smart as she is, Abigail’s willingness to help others is what made me want to nominate her again. I have a class of about 20 EL students, and Abbi is in there with me to be supportive and help. She is responsible and helpful with our Mejor Juntos group as well, unless she was pulled for speech or another activity, she was at every meeting and did follow-up whenever needed. As a teacher, being able to count on someone is priceless. If I am absent, I know I can count on Abigail to help the substitute if need be. She offers after-school tutoring to our EL students and even volunteered her time when we have after-school tutoring and she was in the middle of doing the musical. She is so good at Spanish, that she is able to work through communication issues with my Spanish speakers to help them with assignments. The best thing is that she does it with a smile. I would be overwhelmed by all of her activities, but if she is, she works well under stress because you would never know it.”

Dalton Summers is the Staff of the Month. Summers works at Fort Dodge Middle School.

Cheryl McDonald nominated Summers by writing, “Mr. Summers goes out of his way to help kids in the seventh grade. He talks ‘to them’, not ‘at them.’ Mr. Summers is always there for the kids, no matter what he has going on. He finds time to help kids who need help. Dalton is always there if the staff needs help.

“When I was in school, it seemed that when school was done for the day, so were the teachers. I have noticed that in this middle school, if the students need to talk to a teacher after school, they are there to listen. I know I could have used a ‘Mr. Summers’ back when I was in school.”