Pinnacle Bank names Cecilia Putnam Senior of the Month
Pinnacle Bank has announced Perkins County High School senior Cecilia Putnam as its Senior of the Month, recognizing her leadership, service, and exceptional involvement across school and community activities.
Putnam has been a standout student throughout her four years at Perkins County Schools, participating in a wide range of extracurricular programs. She performed in the school musical during her freshman, sophomore and junior years, and competed in mock trial all four years of high school. She also took part in one-act play each year and was a member of both band and choir from ninth through 12th grade.
Her involvement extends to girls golf during her freshman and sophomore years, speech throughout all four years, and student council during her freshman, sophomore and junior years.
Putnam’s dedication has earned her numerous honors, including the prestigious Marjorie Jackman Award as a senior. She was selected for UNK Honor Choir in 10th, 11th and 12th grade, and was part of the state runner-up mock trial team as a junior. She earned one-act letters her first three years and received an Outstanding Actor Award as a junior. She also lettered in band and choir for three years and in speech during her freshman and sophomore years.
Outside the classroom, Putnam has continued to lead. She served as a class officer—secretary her sophomore year under adviser Shalee Pollard—and was a four-year member of the 4-H Council under adviser Debbie Kuenning. She served on the Perkins County Community Foundation in ninth and 11th grade and participated in the Rotary Youth Leadership program as a junior.
Her community involvement helped her earn additional accolades, including serving as Lyon Club president her senior year, being selected for American Legion Girls State as a junior and holding the position of 4-H Council secretary during her junior and senior years.
Putnam’s work experience is equally extensive. She worked in the ballfield concession stand her sophomore year, where she stocked food, prepared items and handled money. During her junior and senior years, she interned at the Hastings Memorial Library in Grant, assisting with circulation tasks, the summer reading program and shelving materials. She also performed lawn care for a community member during her sophomore and junior years and runs her own pet-sitting and plant-care business, serving numerous families across the area.
Putnam said her varied work experiences have taught her lasting lessons.
“One important lesson I have learned from my work history, especially with running my own businesses, is that trust is one of the most important things in work,” she said. “If people can trust that you can do a job to the best of your ability—and then you show that you can—they’ll be willing to use your services or, in the case of a business, come spend their money on your business again.”
After graduation, Putnam plans to attend Mid-Plains Community College to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree before entering the medical field as a radiologic technician.
When asked about the accomplishment she is most proud of from her time at Perkins County High School, Putnam pointed to her induction into National Honor Society and receiving the Marjorie Jackman Award.
“These things make me feel proud of my own personal growth during my years at Perkins County Schools,” she said. “While I know I have only a few months left here, I hope I can still make a memorable impact on the people of the school and this town.”
Putnam said the most valuable lesson she has learned during high school is understanding the importance of self-worth.
“People are going to judge you no matter what,” she said. “I often spread myself too thin and give everything I can to everyone, but at the end of the day I would have nothing left for myself. Being able to realize that people are never going to be happy with the effort you give them is a good thing for me to remember.”
She added that growing up in Grant has shaped her into the person she is today.
“I’m so thankful I have had the opportunity to live in a small community that is truly there for everyone,” she said. “Being in such a community that feels like a family has helped me become the kind, responsible person that I am. I’ve given back through 4-H, Lyon Club, working at the library and doing more than 80 hours of community service. I’m proud to have done at least something for our town.”
For being selected Senior of the Month, Putnam’s picture will hang in the lobby of Pinnacle Bank in Grant and she will be eligible for a scholarship awarded at the end of the school year.
The Student of the Month and scholarship program are sponsored jointly by community members and Pinnacle Bank in Grant.