Academic All-Star – Grassland Elementary

Published February 1, 2017

The Academic All-Star award is given to students who exhibit a positive attitude and a commitment to excellence in the classroom. Each Academic All-Star is chosen by his or her principal and receives a framed certificate, free food from Chick-fil-A and Sonic Drive-In and a free gift courtesy of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More in Franklin.

Eleven-year-old Canon Paisley has a passion for life and for learning. The Grassland Elementary fifth grader is known throughout his school as a dedicated student with a kind demeanor and upbeat personality.

“Canon has a positive attitude and always gives 100 percent,” said GES teachers Janet Edwards and Stephanie Hawkins. “He is kind to everyone and is always aware of how others are feeling. Canon is willing to help his classmates and teachers, and he perseveres in all situations. He is truly a star student.”

Having attended Grassland Elementary since kindergarten, Canon says the two things he enjoys most about the school are the activities and the people.

“It’s a really great school,” said Canon. “I love my teachers. They do a great job of explaining everything and making it fun.”

Speaking of fun, Canon enjoys participating in a number of clubs at the school.

“I’m a part of broadcast, which is where in the morning they broadcast through the whole school,” said Canon. “Another club I do here is Fit Club, which is where I bring a yoga mat here and a pillow, and we do exercises there for an hour in the morning. There’s also a club called Innovation Unlimited which is about coding.”

Outside of school, Canon plays basketball and acts with a theater group called Act Too Players.

“I recently played the role of Eugene in Grease,” said Canon. “I just like being on stage. It’s just really fun pretending to be something you aren’t.”

As he finishes up his final semester at Grassland Elementary, Canon says he’ll continue to work hard so he can get a good education.

“School is really important to me because that’s how you can get into a college,” said Canon. “College helps you get a job. I think education is important because college looks at your grades. College is just a big deal to me.”