The Ogden City School District on Monday recognized students from multiple schools for January 'student of the month' honors and announced a new arts partnership. Vice President Arlene Anderson introduced Onstage Ogden, which district presenters said will provide each honored student with four complimentary tickets to a performance of their choice.

"Access to the arts makes better students," said Andrew Barrett Watson of Onstage Ogden, urging the board to support the program and promising opportunities for underserved students. Franco, an Onstage board member, said the organization has been in Ogden for decades and is excited to partner with the district to connect students with performances at local venues.

Principals and counselors presented individual student recognitions from Ben Lomond, George Washington, Ogden High, Otech and Post High, detailing academic progress, credit recovery and career-focused plans. Ben Lomond’s presenter described Liliana Schaeffer’s turnaround and academic growth; George Washington staff highlighted Alex Padilla’s path to graduation after overcoming credit and behavior challenges. Otech presenter Darien Vasquez and Post High honoree (name given in the transcript as Kravian/Bridal Niles) were recognized for persistence and vocational progress in barbering and welding programs, respectively.

District staff and teachers repeatedly framed arts exposure and individualized supports as tools to boost attendance, motivation and student confidence, particularly in Title I or high-need settings. Teachers and board members praised student work and classroom culture; ceramics teacher Logan Iverson led a brief classroom demonstration to illustrate how arts projects support student engagement.

The partnership with Onstage Ogden was described as a voucher program tied to the student-of-the-month recognition. Board comments and staff presentations did not identify any financial obligation for the district; Onstage representatives described their own ticket-voucher process and upcoming season schedule, which presenters said runs through May.

The board did not vote on the partnership during the meeting; the presentations concluded before the board moved to routine business.

The board will next take up policy and enrollment items later in the agenda.