Toward the end of each school year, Bogue Chitto Attendance Center recognizes elementary students who consistently display positive character, naming them “Top Cats.”

This year, the top 16 boys and girls were presented awards on May 8. The students were chosen for courage, respect, responsibility, gratitude, kindness, trustworthiness, fairness, self-discipline, perseverance, and citizenship. 

Students selected were: kindergarten, Connor Collins and Raelyn Haas; first grade, Michael Bowman and Adeline Alexander; second grade, Bentley Regan, Keturah Haynes and Avery Sisco; third grade, Beau Callender and Anna Claire Jones; fourth grade, Luke Callender and Rachelle Billiot; fifth grade, Gray Taylor and Crystal Dalon; sixth grade, Allen Gorenflo, Jacey Moore and Dustin Moak.

This is the second year the school has presented this list of students, voted on by their grade-level teachers, who exhibit all 10 of the program’s character traits. Each student will recent a swag bag loaded with goodies donated by local sponsors. Each of the students also received two tickets to see the Mississippi Braves play baseball.

After the teachers collaborated to vote on one boy and one girl per grade K-6, the names were submitted to the school administrators. A team vote of the administrators selected the overall “Tip-Top Cat” boy and girl. The Bogue Chitto Masonic Lodge donated an Acer laptop for presentation to each of these “Tip-Top Cats.” In 2023, the Lodge donated new bicycles for the award.

The 2024 Tip-Top Cats are second-grader Bentley Regan and kindergartner Raelyn Haas. 

BC teacher and PTA liaison Ronnye Hart believes the program is a positive addition to the school’s Student of the Month program.

“This is one more positive way to encourage our students to not only be their best academically, but also become a well-rounded productive member of society,” Hart said.