2 outstanding 6th-grade students from Cabot Middle School South have been named National Students of the Month by Jostens Renaissance for their compassion, kindness, and dedication to making another student feel welcomed and included.
Kennedy Ruhter and Paisley Wallis have been named Jostens Renaissance National Students of the Month for November 2026, earning recognition from nominations submitted by schools across the country.
The national award recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional character, leadership, and a commitment to making a positive difference in their schools.
November’s recognition focused on the theme of EMPATHY, highlighting students who demonstrate understanding, compassion, and concern for others.
Ruhter and Wallis were nominated by Cabot Middle School South counselor Ryan Davenport and assistant principal Ben Brockinton for their extraordinary efforts to help a fellow student feel accepted, supported, and valued.
Their actions are being celebrated as an example of how simple acts of friendship and kindness can change someone’s life.
2 Cabot Students Receive National Honors
The Jostens Renaissance National Student of the Month program recognizes students throughout the country who demonstrate leadership and positive character traits.
For November 2026, the national program selected Kennedy Ruhter and Paisley Wallis from Cabot Middle School South.
Both students are members of the school’s Panther Pals Renaissance Student Leadership Team and serve as rally leaders.
Their involvement focuses on encouraging fellow students, creating a welcoming school environment, and helping classmates feel connected to their school community.
School officials said the students demonstrated exceptional empathy through their friendship with another student who was having difficulty feeling comfortable and included at school.
Rather than waiting for someone else to intervene, Ruhter and Wallis took the initiative to make the student feel welcome.
Their efforts included friendship, encouragement, understanding, and making sure their classmate felt included in everyday school activities.
A Simple Act of Kindness Makes a Big Difference
According to the nomination submitted to Jostens Renaissance, Kennedy and Paisley were placed in a class with a student who had experienced difficulty developing friendships and connecting with classmates.
The 2 girls were unaware of the student’s previous challenges when they began reaching out and offering friendship.
Through patience, listening, encouragement, and genuine compassion, they began building a relationship that helped the student feel more comfortable at school.
The girls included their classmate in their friendship group and everyday activities, helping create a sense of belonging.
Their efforts made a measurable difference.
According to the nomination submitted by counselor Ryan Davenport, the student’s school attendance improved by more than 80% compared with the previous year.
The nomination credits the friendship and encouragement provided by Ruhter and Wallis as important factors in the improvement.
School officials said their actions demonstrated the power of empathy and how students can positively influence the lives of their classmates.
National Award Recognizes Empathy
The November Jostens Renaissance National Student of the Month award focused specifically on empathy.
Empathy involves recognizing and understanding what another person may be experiencing and responding with compassion.
The national program encouraged schools to nominate students who demonstrate the ability to listen to others and make genuine efforts to understand their feelings.
Kennedy and Paisley demonstrated those qualities through their actions.
Rather than simply talking about kindness, the students put those values into practice by making sure another student felt included.
Their actions helped strengthen friendships and contributed to a more positive classroom environment.
Cabot Middle School South Leadership Values
The nomination also highlighted the values promoted through Cabot Middle School South’s student leadership program.
The school emphasizes SOUTH values:
- S – Self-control
- O – Optimism
- U – Unity
- T – Trust
- H – High standards
These principles encourage students to become responsible leaders, support one another, and help create a positive school environment.
Kennedy and Paisley demonstrated those values through their friendship, encouragement, and leadership.
As members of Panther Pals, both girls participate in activities designed to build school spirit and recognize students and teachers.
The leadership program encourages young people to understand that leadership is not simply about receiving recognition.
It also involves serving others, demonstrating good character, and making positive choices.
Kennedy and Paisley Share Their Thoughts on Kindness
Jostens Renaissance interviewed the 2 students about their school involvement and what motivates them to help others.
Paisley explained that seeing classmates left out or treated unkindly motivated her to take action.
She described wanting to help another student feel included and cared about.
Kennedy emphasized the importance of making everyone at school feel welcome.
She also pointed out that kindness should extend beyond students to teachers and school employees, who may be dealing with challenges outside the classroom.
Both students said they enjoy encouraging teachers through positive notes, small gifts, and simple gestures.
They also participate in school rallies and other activities designed to promote a positive atmosphere.
Their responses demonstrated an understanding that small acts of kindness can have a meaningful impact.
Panther Pals Help Build School Spirit
Kennedy and Paisley are active members of the Panther Pals student leadership program at Cabot Middle School South.
The program is associated with the school’s Jostens Renaissance activities and focuses on strengthening school culture.
The girls participate in student rallies and activities intended to make classmates and school employees feel appreciated.
Kennedy described serving as a student host during the school’s Welcome Back Rally as one of her favorite leadership experiences.
Paisley recalled helping welcome teachers back to school by greeting them with high-fives and positive sidewalk chalk messages.
Both students said they appreciate the school’s efforts to recognize accomplishments and encourage students.
They pointed to activities such as High Five Friday and weekly student recognition as examples of how the school creates a welcoming environment.
May Be First Arkansas Students to Receive Recognition
The Cabot School District says Kennedy Ruhter and Paisley Wallis are believed to be among the youngest students and potentially the first students from Arkansas to receive this national recognition.
That distinction has not been independently confirmed through the national program’s historical recipient records.
Regardless, the November 2026 award places the 2 Cabot students among those recognized nationally for demonstrating exceptional character and leadership.
Their selection brings national attention to Cabot Middle School South and the Cabot School District.
The recognition also highlights the importance of teaching empathy and encouraging students to support classmates who may be struggling.
What Is Jostens Renaissance?
Jostens Renaissance Education is a national school culture and character development program.
The initiative works with schools to encourage student achievement, improve school culture, recognize positive behavior, and strengthen relationships among students and school employees.
The National Student of the Month program recognizes students who demonstrate important character traits and positively influence their school communities.
Throughout the 2026-2027 school year, the program is recognizing students for qualities including:
- Empathy
- Resilience
- Perseverance
- Positivity
- Integrity
- Volunteerism
- Advocacy
Schools submit nominations describing how students demonstrate these qualities through their actions.
Selected students receive national recognition through Jostens Renaissance.
Kennedy and Paisley will each receive a water bottle and a decal commemorating their achievement.
Cabot School District Celebrates National Achievement
The Cabot School District is celebrating Kennedy Ruhter and Paisley Wallis for demonstrating that meaningful leadership can begin at a young age.
Their actions reflect the district’s emphasis on education, character development, and treating others with dignity and respect.
The national recognition also highlights the work of counselor Ryan Davenport, assistant principal Ben Brockinton, and the Cabot Middle School South staff in encouraging positive student relationships.
For Kennedy and Paisley, the recognition is about more than receiving an award.
It is about demonstrating that friendship, understanding, and including others can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
Their story is a reminder that students do not need to hold an official position or receive public recognition to make a positive impact.
Sometimes the most meaningful acts of leadership happen through simple gestures of friendship and encouragement.
Congratulations to 2 Outstanding Cabot Students
Kennedy Ruhter and Paisley Wallis have brought national recognition to their school and community by demonstrating the importance of empathy.
Their friendship and support helped another student feel welcomed, valued, and included.
The recognition from Jostens Renaissance celebrates the impact of their actions and provides an example of positive student leadership.
The Cabot School District congratulates both students for representing Cabot Middle School South and the Cabot community on a national level.
Award Information
Award: Jostens Renaissance National Students of the Month
Month: November 2026
Recipients: Kennedy Ruhter and Paisley Wallis
Grade: 6th grade
School: Cabot Middle School South, 2555 Kerr Station Road, Cabot, Arkansas 72023
Nominated by: Ryan Davenport, school counselor; Ben Brockinton, assistant principal
Award theme: Empathy
National organization: Jostens Renaissance Education
Official national recognition: jostensrenaissance.com
Cabot School District: cabotschools.org
Source: Jostens Renaissance Education, November 11, 2026, National Student of the Month announcement; Cabot School District
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