When every other Thursday arrives, SUN students become eager to see whose name will be pulled out of a box for those who have demonstrated the REAL model of the school.

SUN program assistant Lucy Hurst draws these names out of the box every two weeks. Students who attend the SUN program classes are awarded REAL Bucks if they demonstrate respect, excellence, accountability or leadership.

“I’ve seen students go out of their way to be helpful [and] to show REAL values for the REAL Buck,” Hurst said.

The SUN program has used the REAL Buck system in the summer camp they had over the last few years. In time, they decided that the students during the school year would enjoy them too.

If a student is awarded a REAL Buck, they receive candy and are able to have their name be announced on the Wednesday school announcements. Also, their picture, name and favorite things they like to do are displayed on the wall outside the SUN office.

“[The REAL Buck] is a tangible way for students to understand what they are doing is of importance,” Hurst said.

Sophomore Vanessa Spinks diligently attends the homework club about three days a week. Her teacher, Emery Olson, puts a trivia question on the board every day. Spinks answers the question and participates in everything Olson tells her to do.

Spinks’ main goal is to receive a REAL Buck daily due to participating and by showing hardworking skills.

“[The REAL Buck] was important at the moment because it gave me a goal to do something other than homework,” Spinks said.

Spinks understands that in order to be REAL, one must be responsible for themselves, and do things without being told.

One day when her name was drawn out of the basket, Spinks was not at school. Spink’s friend called her to tell her that she had won the drawing of the REAL Buck. While being excited, Spinks had to tell her friend in a calm voice to hold on to her candy she won.

“I was just kinda grateful. I was like, ‘Oh, thanks!’” Spinks said.

As supervisor of the homework club, Olson is aware that REAL Bucks enforce positive behaviors in students.

If students in the homework club do a SUN trivia question which is asked everyday on the board, then they receive a REAL Buck.

“[When doing the SUN trivia] they get engaged in the community because it gets them to talk amongst themselves and work on problem solving together,” Olson said.

When Olson is unable to make it to the homework club and write the trivia question, his interns are there to supervise and write the question.

According to Olson, the SUN trivia helps create a learning experience for students.

“[Students are] engaging in exemplary behavior,” Olson said.

In addition to staying on task, junior Shay Van attends the guitar club which goes from 2:45-4:15 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday.

One day, out of his own self interest, Van had the eagerness to help other students who were struggling. In doing this, Van received a REAL Buck from his teacher.

“It was nice because I wasn’t expecting it,” Van said. “I just help when I can.”

Van’s reward was two Snickers bars and a Twix bar. He strives to help people whenever he has the time.

Van has enthusiastically helped two students learn the song “Silent Night” on the guitar. Van states that he basically second teaches the class and enjoys it.

“If somebody needs help, it is always good to have another student help,” Van said.

Van’s teacher, Austin Barone, admits that Van is doing a really great job teaching new students the beginning steps of guitar. Every so often Barone asks Van to help, and he is always willing to.

“When you’re passionate about something, you should be excellent at it,” Barone said.

Barone states that his students are very considerate and that they work above and beyond by helping each other. He also knows that being REAL is a good example for conduct in the school.

While having Van in his class for two years, Barone appreciates the help he receives from him and occasionally from other students.

“I saw a lot of respect and camaraderie. They were doing a really good job helping each other and being considerate,” Barone said.

All in all, REAL Bucks provide initiative for students to show respect, excellence, accountability and leadership. In doing this, each and every student can make an impact on others and their school.