O’Fallon sixth grader awarded Medallion

Megan Mueller’s smile has just gotten a little bigger.

On April 17, Megan, the daughter of Harold and Mary Mueller of O’Fallon, was one of four students recongized by the International Leadership Network.

The sixth-grade student at Fulton Junior High School in O’Fallon was presented a Medallion and a $250 US Savings Bond during a special awards program held at McKendree University in Lebanon.

She also has been nominated for international recognition by International Leadership Network.

Megan follows her sister, Alexandra Mueller, now a seventh grader at Fulton, who was presented a similar award a year ago.

“It’s quite an honor,” Megan said Monday and smiled.

The Gateway East Young Achievers program includes the Illinois counties of Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Randolph and St. Clair. It recognizes students in grades 5-9 who are successful achievers in a variety of areas, leaders who are appointed and/or elected, positive role models, good citizens in their schools and communities and competent scholars with good attendance records.

The Young Achievers program promotes community, national and international recognition for the positive accomplishments of young people. This early recognition encourages youth to achieve and helps them recognize their potential to be positive role models, leaders and mentors.

Megan believes she was chosen for her award because of her outgoing personality, which she uses to make new students feel comfortable at school.

She makes a point to sit next to her classmates at lunch, and play with them on the playground.

She said she has been instilled this kindness by her family. Megan cited her sister as an example. She said Alexandra has always been there for her as a friend, when she needs someone to talk with about her life.

“She has taught me a lot of things,” she said.

Megan also loves to play basketball, soccer and volleyball.

But Megan admits she was surprised she was chosen for her latest award.

“There are a lot of kids who are more deserving,” she said.

ILN is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1990. To fulfill its mission to develop and implement programs that empower young people to succeed, ILN sponsors the Young Achievers and Leaders of Tomorrow recognition programs and Leadership Achievement Partnership mentoring program.

Megan credited her parents for helping her keep a positive outlook on life.

She now aspires to play sports in high school, and earn straight A’s.

“If you set your goals high, your personal accomplishments are easy to accomplish,” Megan said.

Take her basketball game, for instance.

Many young players would quit playing after undergoing knee surgery.

Not Megan.

Who knows? Some day, you might even seen Megan appear on the Wheaties box.

This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 3:07 PM with the headline "O’Fallon sixth grader awarded Medallion."