Nora Eoff remembers the first time she attended the Montgomery County High School Academic Honors Brunch.

It was in her sophomore year, when she was one of 13 students receiving an award for her academic efforts and being recognized in front of numerous people at the MCHS gymnasium.

“It felt good,” Eoff said. “I enjoyed it. They did really good here. They have us all meet in groups and take pictures together, which I think it’s really nice. It brings lots of memories. It comes together as a co-class because you worked so hard in your freshman year. It’s nice to see it pay off.”

Eoff continues to be successful academically at MCHS. On Sept. 18, the senior received her third academic award at the annual Academic Honors Brunch at the MCHS gym. She was one of 25 seniors to earn an academic award.

Eoff said she can’t believe her time at MCHS is running out. She plans to complete her senior year in December.

“It’s crazy,” Eoff said. “Time went by really fast. I wasn’t expecting to be a senior so soon.”

Eoff was one of 53 students who received awards at the one-hour event, which started off with students and parents having breakfast and had opening remarks from R-II Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jocelyn Schluss and Montgomery County Middle School sixth-grade language arts teacher Kate Healy.

Healy, who graduated from MCHS in 2005, has been teaching at the R-II School District since 2011. Three years ago, she was named Montgomery County R-II School District Teacher of the Year.

Healy said during her four-minute speech that whether it’s going to college or choosing a career, students should not be afraid to chase their dreams.

“Don’t be afraid to set your sights high,” Healy said. “Just step into the unknown and keep growing into the best version of yourself.”

The seniors had the most award recipients than any other class. Out of that group, 10 of them received awards all three years, including Eoff.

Aiden Christian, Emily Clark, Gracie Cobb, Colby Ellis, Rachel Harris, Katlyn Kolling, Taylor River, Weston See, Cooper Sellenriek were the other members of the Class of 2026 who earned their third academic award on Sept. 18. Six seniors earned their first award and nine received their second.

“I think our class is extremely impressive,” Christian said. “I think it’s always been that way. We all have such high striving people. We all just want to be the best that we can be. It’s impressive to see how many people that we had here today and got to show off their accomplishments.”

Eoff has some advice in being successful in school.

“Just try your best,” the senior said. “Some classes are really hard, so the best thing that you can do is try. If it’s not your thing, figure out what is. My thing was math. That was the thing I was the best at. The thing that I’m not good at is English, but I still tried. I did my best. I worked towards my grades and tried to figure out what’s the best for me.”

Art is another favorite class for Eoff. She is taking an advanced art class and plans to help paint the doors at the high school cafeteria.

“You can be creative,” said Eoff, who wants to go into a two-year nursing program next year. “You can do whatever you wish to do.”

Christian said chemistry is one of his favorite classes at school. He plans to major in chemistry at the University of Missouri-Columbia next year.

“It’s just so much fun for me to learn and to actively perform,” Christian said. “I took chemistry class last year going into it knowing that I will like it. Now, it seems like more of a calling than anything.”

Academic awards were handed out to sophomores, juniors and seniors. A student must have an annual grade point average of 3.7 or higher, be active in the school and community and have a strong attendance rate to receive an academic achievement award from MCHS. The event was sponsored by the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

There were 16 sophomores and 22 juniors who earned academic awards.