The demonstration of leadership qualities is paying dividends for eighth grade students at Hartselle Junior High School.

On Tuesday, 21 eighth grade students were recognized as leaders under the guidelines of “Eighth Graders Leading the Way,” a program implemented at the beginning of the current school year.

Hartselle Mayor Dwight Tankersley presented certificates of achievement in four different categories: “Most Improved Student,” “Most Responsible Student,” “Most Courteous Student,” and “Most Positive Attitude Student.”

Students were nominated for their teachers based on the leadership qualities they exemplified during the first seven weeks of school. Future awards will be given monthly with the names of winners posted on bulletin boards.

Mayor Tankersley congratulated the award winners and thanked them for their hard work in the classroom.

“I encourage you to continue to stay involved and strive to excel in your studies,” he said. “You are learning how to take responsibility for your attitudes and actions, and that will  carry you far in the workplace.”

The leadership training program is a spin-off from the “Seven Habits for Highly Effective Teens,” according to Jodi Fuqua, eighth grade social studies teacher.

“Leadership is all about self-improvement, responsibility, showing courtesy and cultivating positive attitudes,”  Fuqua said. “Our program is designed to give students opportunities to be successful in each one of these areas.”