As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of AW11, we reflect on our journey, including conversations with the very first AW11 winners. Their insights have shaped our program, and we still honor them as Alpha Wolf 11 to this day.
Here at Wyoming High School, our core values are Kind, Compassionate, and Gracious. These relate to being a true Alpha Wolf 11.
The first individuals to receive this award were in 2016, and its hard to believe how long ago that was. The first ever AW11 winner was Gabriel Pulaski, who was a sophomore at WHS at the time.
Gabriel Pulaski, 2016
Gabriel Pulaski, who is now fully grown, still treasures this beautiful award as it meant a lot to him; he never would’ve thought he could receive it.
“I was not expecting it at all to win it. I just had this sense of going to school and just trying to make a good example of oneself and treat others kindly,” said Pulaski.
Pulaski wasn’t trying to win this award; he was simply just being himself. Our staff here at WHS truly appreciate that. As most people know, this isn’t a popularity contest, which makes the achievement even sweeter.
“Its not supposed to be about grade, your status, sports, or any academic inside or outside of school,” said Pulaski.
Receiving an award like this can be fun and greatly exciting, knowing that this is based on being a good person and being a role model. It can be a great reminder of the positive impact one can have on others.
“Being presented with that award, there was a sense of responsibility,” said Gaberial Pulaski.
Gabriel will forever hold this experience dear to him, as he has already. Knowing that despite being a “loner,” he was noticed for his kindness and compassion for others.
“Hearing some of the things that were said about me not only by the teachers but my fellow students and classmates, shows people really do see kindness,” said Pulaski.
Brooke Elzinga (Vandyke), 2017
Brooke Vandyke, soon to be a mom, happily reflects on receiving this award and cherishes the experience it brought her.
“I still look back and think about how cool and special it was that my peers voted for me to win such a big award,” said Vandyke.
Since she was a senior when she won the award, Brooke grabbed the chance of winning AW11 to boost her life, using it as a great opportunity for job applications and college admissions.
“I have written about winning Alpha Wolf in college essays and job interviews,” said Vandyke.
Brooke graduated in 2018 as Brooke Elzinga and later married her high school sweetheart, which led her to become Brooke Vandyke. She is thriving in the workforce, even with her first baby on the way.
“I work remotely for a company called Mobile Medical Support. I enter medical records into patients files and I send out paperwork for insurance agents,” said Vandyke.
Raelynn Watkins, 2018
Raelyn Watkins, who is a wonderful lady, knows how much this award meant and strives to continue to be the same Alpha Wolf 11 and keep those core values outside of Wyoming High School.
“I want to meet someone from high school 10 years from now and still be seen as that alpha wolf type of person to them. It’s very motivating,” said Watkins.
She still remembers the day she received this great award. It’s great to see that people who have graduated from our school still cherish these beautiful moments and are seen in such a positive way.
“I can remember it like it was yesterday. It’s crazy to feel SO seen in such a positive light not only in front of all of your peers/school mates but all of the speakers/fire crew etc,” said Watkins.
Many people might consider AW11 to be dumb or foolish, but the feeling you get when you win is incredibly rewarding and hard to describe, from what we have heard. Many people dont even realize what they’re capable of until they experience it themselves. It’s a memory you cherish and hold onto for a long time.
“ I had a really good friend of mine sitting right next to me. I can remember it like it was yesterday,” said Watkins.
Aside from the AW11 win, Watkins is flourishing in life. During the weekdays, she works as an inventory manager at a retail store and on weekends assists at Hope Network, where she supports children who have faced significant challenges. This demonstrates her character as a truly admirable person seven years later
“I work in a residential facility that houses children ages 11-18. Some of these kids have high or low functioning autism, sexual/physical abuse trauma, etc, all of them are custody of the state and do not truly have legal guardians,” said Watkins
Stella Archiyan (Petrovici), 2016
Stella Petrovici, a university student at U of M, has taken the AW11 award and implemented it in her life.
“Winning this award really made me ruminate on my character and attributes that surface as I live my everyday life,” said Petrovici.
Not only is it a part of her everyday life, but it also helped her discover her career path and what she wanted to pursue personally. It’s amazing how one high school award can have such a significant impact on lives a decade later.
“It personally helped me to figure out what I wanted to do post-high school and with the rest of my life. I realized that a career in healthcare would allow me to easily practice kindness, compassion, and grace,” said Petrovici.
AW11 is an amazing program that WHS has had for a decade. It gives students the feeling that their teachers and fellow peers see them for who they truly are. It can even help them become better individuals, motivating people to continue experiencing the program to this day.
“Being recognized for having integrity and good moral principles is something that encourages me to put my best into every interaction I have, no matter where I am in life,” said Petrovici.
Stella is a wonderful example of greatness. She is currently a university student at the University of Michigan, studying pharmacy, and she continues to be the sweet spirit of the AW11 winner she was in high school. Soon, she will be finished with her last days of school.
“I am in my very last week of school in my entire life. My graduation date is set for Saturday, April 26, 2025. After this, I will be an official PharmD grad,” said Petroovici.
These wonderful people showcase the greatness and all the happiness and love our AW11 program brings to WHS. Even decades later, we have amazing individuals still thriving and being the kind people they were years ago. It’s now our 10th anniversary of AW11. A huge shoutout to those who first experienced this moment.
