The biggest names in Trenton gathered together Thursday night to honor Boyd W. Arthurs Middle School for receiving the Schools to Watch dedication.

Arthurs is one of only 13 other Michigan schools to be considered a Schools to Watch middle school and one of only 300 nationwide.

Trenton leaders like Mayor Kyle Stack, School Board President Mike Hawkins and Jane Mackey, congressional aid for Rep. John Conyers, met in Arthurs' gymnasium to unveil a banner given to Arthurs after making the coveted list of Schools to Watch.

Schools to Watch is an initiative beginning in 1999 by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform in an effort to identify and honor schools nationally, "so all might learn how to achieve academic success through best practices for all young adolescents," according to an Arthurs release.

More information about Schools to Watch can be found on the Schools to Watch website.

Hundreds of Arthurs students, parents and staff gathered in the gymnasium for the unveiling of the banner and presentations from those involved in the selection process.

Members of the Schools to Watch committee Nic Cooper and Alice Seppanen explained to the audience the importance of the honor.

"Students here are successful in so many ways," Seppanen said. "Academically, of course, and athletically and the arts--and the music performance is a testament to that."

The night had singing and music with performances by the Arthurs seventh and eighth grade choir and the Arthurs Jazz Band consisting of sixth, seventh and eighth grade students.

There were presentations by Arthurs teacher and Victory Day founder Aaron Segedi. Segedi has been featured in Trenton Patch several times and was featured on the Huffington Post for his work with special needs children.

Hawkins said Arthurs had changed a lot since he attended the school, though it had a different name then.

"Middle schools sometimes get forgotten...we'd like to thank the wonderful staff at Arthurs Middle School...we are an example, now, of academic excellence that other schools around the state and around the country can use and we are very proud of that," Hawkins said.

Arthurs Principal Stephanie O'Connor, who helped organize the evening, said she owes the honor to her dedicated and talented staff.

"The staff here are just awesome," O'Connor said. "They are truly dedicated to student learning and it's just awesome to have the community come out and see what's happening."

Arthurs will remain on the Schools to Watch list for three years, after which time the school must be reevaluated.

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