Student of the Week: Eighth-grader has a positive influence on others
West Junior High’s Hannah Stuckel is one happy kid.
She’s happy to sing. Happy to cheerlead. Happy to be of service to others. And she’s happy to spread cheer.
Hannah’s mom says she’s always been like this, and always with a song.
She’s been singing “since birth” says mom Pam Stuckel, and hasn’t yet taken lessons.
“As a child my mom would play a lot of great music, so I just fell in love with it,” Hannah said.
Hannah has performed at a church, the 4204 Main Street Brewing Company in Belleville, a retirement party and school talent shows and assemblies, including the Veterans Day assembly last month.
As inviting as her singing is, Hannah’s real talent is the way she spreads peace, administrators say.
“She’s nice to everyone she meets,” says Dean of Students Kelly Harter. “She always has a smile on her face.”
Be yourself. There is only one you, so be you. Don’t try to be anyone else, that’s the fun in being you.
Hannah Stuckel’s advice to other girls
It’s beyond the smile, though.
Principal Gustavo Cotto is among those who rely on students like Hannah to keep the peace at school. Another student was having trouble with “girl drama” at school, he said, and he asked her, “who is a person you can hang out with and stay out of trouble?”
“Hannah Stuckel,” the girl quickly said.
“Even the students are able to recognize her for that,” Cotto said.
Pam Stuckel said that might have started at home. Hannah is the third of four children and witnessed her older siblings go through dramatic episodes in junior high.
“They’d come home and talk about all the drama, I think they’ve been able to coach her,” Pam Stuckel said. “My husband and I tried to coach her, but it came through more from them. She just wants to spread sunshine and laughter and happiness where she goes.”
Here’s what Hannah had to say:
Q: How long have you been singing?
A: “I have been singing ever since I can remember. I remember singing in my old church when I was in third grade, that was my very first solo.”
Q: What got you interested in singing?
A. “I have always been interested in singing. I love the sound, harmonies and melodies.”
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: “It would be nice to be a singer, but really want to go into the medical field, like a PA or nurse practitioner; maybe be like people who do the autopsy, I’d assist on that.”
Q: Have you taken any professional lessons?
A: “I have not taken any professional lessons. Right now we have started to think about taking professional lessons.”
Q: What was your favorite performance?
A: “The talent show. It was a very happy time and the song I selected was one of my favorite songs.”
Q: Do you have any advice to share with other girls in junior high?
A: “Be yourself. There is only one you, so be you. Don’t try to be anyone else, that’s the fun in being you. Everyone is special and talented in your own way so don’t be afraid to show it. Also just keep your head up high, stay positive and focus on your education.”
Q: What are you most looking forward to in high school?
A: “All of the clubs and activities. It’s great to get involved in clubs and organizations. It’s a good way to make friends and help out.”
Mary Cooley: 618-239-2535, @MaryCooleyBND
Meet Hannah Stuckel
- Age: 14
- School: Eighth-grader at West Junior High in Belleville
- Family: Mom, Pam; Dad, Ron; sister Rachel and brothers Elijah and Noah
- Clubs and organizations: Band (she plays the flute), math team, peer mediation, the Character Plus Council, cheerleading
- Musical tastes: Hannah enjoys singing, usually listens to pop music. Right now her favorites are Sam Smith and Araiana Grande, who she says is harder to emulate “the whistle tones, I can’t do that.”
- Favorite class: Science. “I get really excited about it ... (in seventh grade science) we learned a lot about the human body ... that really opened a door.”
- Least favorite class: “Math. It’s not something I really like. Learning is different, I joined the math team because it helps you a lot, it teaches (math concepts) ahead of time. And I have friends on the math team.”
This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 9:17 AM with the headline "Student of the Week: Eighth-grader has a positive influence on others."