“Top Dog” Competition
Top Dog is open to any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade Ionia Middle School student.  This award is designed to recognize students’ outstanding efforts in the areas of academic achievement, physical fitness, school enhancement, community service and the arts.  Students earn points for achievement, effort, or participation in each area.  Students qualifying for the award also earn a reward trip to a designated location, usually taken in May.  This year students completing all requirements will travel to Chicago, Mackinac Island or the Great Wolf Lodge near Traverse City.  Top Dog is a personal challenge that allows you to explore opportunities in the communities to which you belong.  The goal of the Top Dog program is for middle school students to take part in activities and opportunities that are common among contributing members in a community and to prepare them to continue these practices as an adult.  The challenge requires a student to earn points in a variety of categories, and learn to meet strict expectations and deadlines. In addition to inherent rewards, the students that complete the challenge will also be afforded the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments through an outing in the spring.