Submitted by Tammy Russell

Students at the Salmon River Middle School have been participating in the Student of the Month Program. The program is based on the featured character trait from the book of the month. The books of the month are chosen based on content that addresses human feelings and encourages the human universal values of empathy and caring. The character trait identified for October was compassion. Javan Cook from the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Alcoholism/Chemical Dependency Prevention Program awarded students who exhibited this trait with gift cards and gift bags. Students were recognized with the Holistic Life Foundation. The Holistic Life Foundation based out of Baltimore, Maryland, has trained students all over the world in mindfulness practices. During their stay at Salmon River Central they taught middle school students how to use breathing practices to reduce stress and anxiety.