June 1, 2026

Holland Middle School May Student of the Month

Celebrating the positive behavior and amazing contributions of the students to the HMS community!

  • 6th grade: Elise Perez
  • 7th grade: Niki Clark 
  • 8th grade:  Gerardo Hernandez

Elise Perez 

Elise is truly a special student who makes our school brighter and more welcoming place everyday! One way Elise demonstrates “United” is how she goes above and beyond to make sure everyone feels included. She truly has a gift for making everyone around her feel seen, valued, and happy.  Beyond her incredible character, Elise demonstrates “Committed” by being a consistently dedicated and hardworking student. She is reliable, responsible, and never gives up even when tasks are difficult. Overall, Elise is such a positive light to our school and I am proud to have her in my class this year! Elise just brings so much joy to everyone around her. She is always positive and caring! She is so deserving of this recognition. (Nominated by Mrs. Heemstra)

Niki Clark 

Niki has always been very committed and honorable within the classroom. She works hard within class to complete individual and group work and always offers a helping hand when she feels confident in what she is doing. She always reaches out when she has a question or wants to know what she can do for her grades when she is dissatisfied with them. Additionally, she always follows through in fixing her work and has never been shy when she realizes there's something she can do for herself or her classmates. She is a quiet individual, but her hard work and determination has not gone unnoticed by myself or her classmates. The biggest thing that sets Niki apart is her dedication to follow through with anything she sets her mind to. (Nominated by Ms. Gretka)

Gerardo Hernandez

Gerardo Hernandez consistently demonstrates the qualities of being Honorable and Diverse within the Holland Middle School community. Gerardo stands up for what is right by treating both peers and staff with respect, showing maturity in difficult situations, and serving as a positive role model for others. He demonstrates integrity through his daily actions and interactions, helping contribute to a safe and supportive learning environment.

Gerardo also exemplifies the trait of Diverse by valuing and respecting the differences of others. He works well with a wide variety of classmates, is accepting of others’ perspectives and backgrounds, and helps create an inclusive atmosphere where students feel welcomed and appreciated. His positive attitude and willingness to support others make him a great representative of the HMS DUTCH Matrix values.

One additional quality that sets Gerardo apart is his strong personal growth and commitment to improving academically. Over the past school year, Gerardo has worked extremely hard to strengthen his math skills and increase his confidence as a learner. His dedication and perseverance have resulted in significant growth on his NWEA MAP Math assessment scores, reflecting both his effort and positive attitude toward learning. Gerardo’s willingness to continue improving, even when faced with challenges, demonstrates resilience, maturity, and a genuine desire to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom. (Nominated by Mr. Miller)