Matthew O’Brien Represents Piedmont

Piedmont Academy is represented by Matthew O’Brien who has attended Piedmont Academy most of his school career.

Like the JCHS STAR student, Mr. O’Brien attended the 2010 Governor’s Honors program in social studies. He has received the award for highest academic average for each of his high school years. In addition, he has achieved outstanding subject awards for Honors English I, II, and III; Honors Algebra I and II, Honors Geometry, Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Honors Physics, Honors Civics, and Honors World History. He was a sophomore participant in the Covington Student Leadership Program, and served as a peer leader facilitator last year.


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Mr. O’Brien was active in one-act plays his junior and senior years, taking the outstanding performance award in a one-act play for Region 1AA and for State AA in 2010, and was part of the Region 1AA and State AA One-Act Play champion cast and crew. He was second place speaker at the state AA debate tournament this year, and a member of the Region 1AA and State AA debate champions teams for 2009, 2010 and 2011.

He has been active in Y-Club and Beta Club throughout high school, and the National Honor Society in tenth through twelfth grades.
Mr. O’Brien served as class treasurer and Student Council representative in the tenth grade, and was class president and Student Council treasurer in the eleventh grade.

In addition, Mr. O’Brien played football his freshman and sophomore years, basketball in grades 9-11.

Mr. O’Brien is active with the youth group at St. Anna’s Catholic Church in Monroe, is a church grounds maintenance volunteer, and volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House.

He is the son of Eddie and Caren O’Brien of Covington.
In choosing Bobbi Sauls as his STAR teacher, Mr. O’Brien said, “Since I started my high school career, many teachers have influenced both my education and character development. Chief among this select group is Ms. Bobbi Sauls. Arriving at Piedmont Academy eleven years ago, Ms. Sauls has created the most rigorous curriculum in the school. She is constantly pushing her students to seek knowledge and peer into the root causes of problems. This intense teaching regimen has instilled in me a solid work ethic and a love of learning.

“However, Ms. Sauls’ contributions extend beyond the classroom. Whether directing the One Act Play, Literary, or Policy Debate programs at Piedmont, she is inspiring values of good sportsmanship and teamwork. Ms. Sauls is constantly working towards both a better school and better students, and that is the reason the she is my STAR teacher.”

Upon learning she hwas chosen as STAR teacher, Ms. Sauls said, “It is a great honor and privilege to be named a STAR teacher by Matthew O’Brien. Matthew is a highly motivated student who is extremely bright. He listens intently and thoughtfully, absorbing information like the proverbial sponge. Matthew will participate in class discussions with insightful comments and asks a number of questions that challenge me as an instructor. While he has outstanding grades, Matthew is not motivated solely by the number on the paper. He desires to comprehend the material, works to analyze information from a unique perspective, and strives to avoid past mistakes in his future work.

“Matthew has also been a vital member of the state champion debate team for two years. Learning to work within the time limits of a debate round has proven to be a challenge for many debaters, but Matthew quickly learned the value of working outside of a competition to prepare for future arguments. Matthew has also learned to think quickly yet logically and to argue persuasively while under a great deal of pressure.

“As a region and state award winner for his outstanding performance, Matthew contributed greatly to our school’s first one-act play state championship. He approached this leading role with the usual tenacity and drive for perfection I have come to expect from Matthew, but he also seized this opportunity to show his wonderful sense of humor and his ability to adjust to the challenges of live theater performance.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have taught and worked with such an outstanding student, talented performer, and thoughtful young man as Matthew O’Brien. Matthew has confidence in himself but is not cocky. He is sure of his beliefs but is not judgmental of others who think differently than he does. He is wise and mature beyond his age, and he is compassionate toward those in need. I am confident these attributes will contribute to his future success.”