Setting an example

HOBART - Students at Liberty Elementary School Put into action some life lessons David Sivak taught them.

Sivak, a Hobart High School senior and swimmer, is a cadet teacher, part of a program in which high school students gain teaching expereince and earn credit by helping out in classrooms. Cadets organize materials, assist students one-on-one, grade papers and do whatever the teacher asks of them.

When he's not going to school or helping in the classroom, Sivak is competing in academic contests or swim meets. Recently he earned a medal in state swimming competition, placing seventh in the 100-yard freestyle and 10th in the 50-yard freestyle.

"He is a great swimmer, but an even better role model. He shows the kids that you have to work hard to get where you want to be," first grade teacher Carrie Spinks said. "It's not just about sports. He also stresses the importance of education. He reminds them to listen to the teacher and to follow life skills, such as being kind. He goes above and beyond what we would expect of our cadets. He has an attitude that school is a great place to be."

Sivak assisted second-grade teacher Christine Pallotta last fall.

"He is always eager to work with the students. He used himself as an example of doing his work and being able to swim on the swim team," Pallotta said. "I believed it was important for the children to see his hard work pay off and have a celebration of David getting to demonstrate his swimming abilities at the state competition. The children really respected him."

The students gave Sivak a send-off before the recent state swim meet. They decorated the hallway with streamers and filled stars with words of encouragement. To top if off, they shaved his head for the occasion.

"It was Mrs. Spink's idea to shave my head. I really wasn't sure if she was serious at first. Then I saw her mark it down on the calendar," Sivak said. "It was kind of fun because they pulled all the kids out into the hallway to watch."

"It always feels good to know you have a positive influence on someone else's life."

By Janna Odenthal
Post-Tribune correspondent