Norwich - Collectively, the 14 Norwich public school students honored with the 2009 Superintendent Award last week challenge themselves, show courage in and outside of school, play instruments and sing, play sports and don't end up in the principal's office.

On Tuesday, the Norwich Board of Education hosted an hourlong ceremony to celebrate student achievement through the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents Awards. One student from each public school came to the podium with family members and supporters to receive the award and hear their principals extol their achievements.

"I don't see Patricia a lot," Kelly Middle School Principal Michael Cain said of his school's recipient, Patricia Georges. "She's not the type who is in the principal's office."

Veterans' Memorial School Principal Susan Lacy described her school's winner, Carmen Padilla-Mitchell, as "pure heart," describing how the girl had won a turkey at a church raffle and immediately wanted to donate it to a family in need. But Carmen's mother preferred the word "courage." In a letter, her mother, Angela Padilla, described Carmen's courage when the girl's aunt, Melanie Maurice of Pawcatuck, faced terminal cancer, never shying from the disease and leading an effort to collect donations after her aunt died in September.

"I'm grateful she is being recognized as the good kid that she is," Angela Padilla said after Tuesday's ceremony.

Academic success is part of the annual award, but it also recognizes traits such as leadership, courtesy toward others, volunteerism and perseverance.

Wequonnoc School Principal Scott Fain said recipient John Martinez is hard-working, helpful, cooperative and reached beyond academics to learn clarinet and guitar. Fain asked the boy why he also wanted to learn judo.

"He said 'I enjoy putting myself under pressure to see how well I can do,'" Fain told the packed house at the Kelly Middle School library.

Samuel Huntington School Principal Cheryl Vocatura shared a similar story about fifth-grade recipient Althea Hine-Schober, who writes poetry and songs, volunteers for the school food pantry and is learning trombone.

"She enjoys bike-riding and stunting," Vocatura said. "She says it keeps the balance of a controlled life of fear and a wacky life."

Every year at the award presentation, school officials note the strong support the winning students have received from their parents and siblings to help them succeed. Althea's parents, grandparents, aunts and cousins joined her at the podium.

Adult Education Director Mary Berry said she enjoys being the last person to present a winner in the annual event. She gets to turn the tables, as her winners often bring their spouses and children to the stand.

James Anicette, a native of Haiti, started taking English language classes in 2003 in Norwich adult education. With little schooling in his background, in 2008 he switched to the high school credit program. The father of two young children, Anicette works full-time at the Mohegan Sun Casino.

"James is an excellent role model for other students and his own children," Berry said.

Other Superintendent Award recipients were:

Thames River Academy: Olivia Marie Speedwell.

Bishop School: Kay-Lynn Meriwether.

Greeneville School: Olivia Hunt.

Thomas Mahan School: Lydia Hindle.

John M. Moriarty School: Christopher Finegan.

John B. Stanton School: Taylor P. Costick.

Uncas School: Erin Baxter.

Teachers Memorial Middle School: Jikaeyla Harris.

Deborah Tennant-Zinewicz School: Shiquel Pires-Dunn.

c.bessette@theday.com