Juniors at HHS had an extra reason to study hard for their End-of-Course (EOC) exams last year, for an opportunity to get awarded a free prom ticket. 

Students who improved by at least one level on their sophomore year EOC scores were rewarded with a free ticket to prom, thanks to a school incentive aimed at boosting academic performance and celebrating student success. 

According to Mr. Williams, sophomores take Government, Biology, and an English EOC, and need to increase a level in at least two or more of their tests to be able to get the free prom ticket. 

When asked about if this incentive helped students increase their EOC scores Williams said, “It’s hard to say, because we have so many other things happening. I think the incentive does help a little bit. I don’t think it’s like the driving factor. I don’t think it’s the most important thing, but for me, my whole idea is like, let’s focus on people that are doing the right thing around here.”

This incentive helped raise the stakes for a wide range of students, not just the top performers, and made them want to do better, not just feel like they have to.

“These are kids that try really hard, it wasn’t all top students. It was some kids that maybe struggled before, but they were able to jump a level. So I think it helped a little bit,” Williams added. 

Last year, 45 total sophomores improved and went up a level on their EOC tests, which is about half of the current junior class. The total cost for all of the tickets were $1,800, with each ticket being $40.

“The money comes from the school budget. I have to prioritize and sacrifice in other things, but what I’m trying to do is prioritize students around a year, so I think it’s important to use the money that way, rather than on some other things,” Williams said. 

This incentive also goes for the current sophomore class, and for the freshmen Algebra class as well. 

 “We are definitely doing it for the current sophomore class,” Williams said. 

“We do the same thing for algebra kids too,” Williams said. “It also applies to freshmen who mostly are taking the algebra EOC. What they have to do is they have to jump a level that from where they were in eighth grade, and if they’re able to do that, then they’re not going to prom, so I buy homecoming tickets for that.”

The reason for these incentives is because it is a way for the school to give a big thanks to all of its hard working students who try to improve their academic performance, and their school as a whole. 

“One small token of a way that we can as a school,  say thank you to the students who are working hard,” Williams said. 

Students had multiple varying opinions on how they felt when they received their free prom ticket. Some were happy due to the fact that they won’t have to spend money, and others because their hard work was shown off. 

“I was happy because I felt like my hard work to get the score I did was recognized,” NinaAnnette Ndonwi (11) said. 

Another student, Stanley Hopgood (11) said, “When I received my prom ticket from Mr. Williams I was ecstatic because that’s less money that I have to spend, and I felt smart because I increased my EOC score.”

The prom free prom ticket changed the way how students felt about the EOC tests and it affected them in a positive way to try their hardest.

“Knowing that a free prom ticket was on the line during EOC’s last year, I had to push away all the sluggish and procrastinating thoughts, and had to stay in the zone not only to prove what I learned, but to also get that reward,” Hopgood said. 

Others thought that it helped them get more motivation during the tests and to look forward to achieving that reward. 

“It gave me something to look forward to when taking the EOC other than getting back a score, so that helped to increase my motivation,” Ndonwi said. 

Students have differing opinions on if this incentive wasn’t included, students wouldn’t try their hardest. 

Ndonwi has a goal to try her best on anything every single year, she says, “I would have worked just as hard with or without the tickets because I like to try my best every year as a personal goal.”

On the other hand, Hodgood thinks that if there was no reward to achieving a higher score, everybody would run through the test to get it over with.

“If they treated it as a normal EOC with nothing to get if you did good, then I believe others wouldn’t take it as serious and just blow through it,” Hopgood said. 

In the end, this reward allows the students who worked hard to achieve the free prom ticket to come together and have a great night enjoying themselves with their friends. 

“When I go to prom, I look forward to the company I’ll have with my friends, and the fun memories I’ll make,” Ndonwi said. 

“At prom, I’m hoping it’s just like the movies,” Hopgood said. “I want everyone to have a good time, people to dress nice, and all around a fun event that allows us to relax and let loose.”

As the school year comes to an end, principal Williams sees a promising change in the school, driven by its students. Growing commitment to their academics and determination to succeed. 

“I love the fact that kids are actually trying to make a difference around here, and people are starting to care more about their grades and their scores, and I can’t wait to see how this year comes home for real,” Williams said.