News & Events

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 February C.A.K.E. Award, which stands for Character, Attitude, Kindness, and Encouragement, has been awarded to two outstanding learners. Congratulations to Bridgett Orgill and Gabe Pyne. Bridgett is a 5th-grade learner attending Chubbuck Elementary, and Gabe is a 12th-grade learner attending Century High School.

Bridgett was nominated by, Paige Warfield. In her nomination letter Ms. Warfield wrote, “Being the new kid at school is never easy. It’s even more difficult to come in the middle of the year when friendships are already established. One student recently joined our school, and in this short time, has demonstrated remarkable kindness and acceptance toward peers. One of their classmates has had an incredibly difficult year and has struggled to connect with others. Though still adjusting to a new environment, this student has made a huge effort to be compassionate and supportive of this peer. When discussing their transition, they mentioned feeling that this peer was 'misunderstood' and deserving of kindness.

I witnessed this firsthand during a counseling lesson when students were engaged in group work. The student was working with a peer who became agitated and used disrespectful language toward the group. While it would have been easy to ignore the situation or respond negatively, this student remained calm, acknowledged their peer’s concerns, and responded with gratitude for their input. As a result, the group was able to continue working productively. This ability to show empathy in the face of frustration displayed remarkable maturity and an understanding of separating behavior from the person underneath.”

Gabe was nominated by Ms. Katie Cooper. In her nomination letter, Ms. Cooper wrote, “I would like to nominate Gabe Pyne. My nomination is a little different because Gabe isn’t currently enrolled at AMS but over the last five years, he continues to have an impact on me and others. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to teach Gabe in my 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Lego Flex classes. During that period, Gabe made a huge impact on my life, as well as on his peers as I observed him interacting with others. Gabe is determined and hard-working. He is a dedicated learner and wrestler. He goes above and beyond to lift those who are struggling. An example of this is in 2021, I lost my son unexpectedly. I will forever have etched in my mind, Gabe’s compassion as he and his family supported me through this difficult time. That memory is forever cemented in my heart.

I have had the chance to watch Gabe with his teammates on the mat in wrestling over the last five years. His tenacity, grit, and resilience to get back up in spite of physical and mental challenges are awe-inspiring. He never settles for mediocrity and is continually working towards being his best self. He cheers on his teammates and boosts them up with his positivity and never-ending praise to endure, especially when things get hard. Gabe truly deserves to be considered for this award as he is a leader and an
example of true kindness towards others.”

Bridget and Gabe were recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Our Partner for this award, Johnson Family McDonald's, provides each learner and their nominators with a gift card, along with $50 to purchase books for the school’s media center in the recipients’ names.

PCSD 25 believes a safe, supportive, caring and respectful environment is critical to student learning. The District Education Foundation, in partnership with McDonald’s, supports the Learner-of-the-Month C.A.K.E. Award to recognize students who show great character. The district recognizes one elementary learner and one secondary learner from October through May. Nominations for the C.A.K.E. Award are submitted by a teacher who has observed the nominee’s behavior, and are approved by the school’s principal.