By Carole King 

Mayliss Carter, a fourth-grade student at Carthage Intermediate Center, is VYPE SWMO’s featured Grant Deardorff State Farm Good Neighbor Student of the Month for April 2025. 

Mayliss’ teachers nominated her as a model student who is respectful, works hard, and always participates.  

“Mayliss constantly goes above and beyond to help others!” one teacher commented. “She is kind to everyone around her. If she sees a kid that is struggling or needs any type of assistance, she goes to help without being asked. I see her doing this all the time!! She is a good friend and peer, and a model student.” 

Mayliss’ mother, Haley Carter, recognizes that Mayliss is outgoing and has many leadership qualities. This award has given her parents a window into how Mayliss is living out the values they teach her at home while at school.  

 “We have always tried to teach her to use these strengths to do good things in the world,” Haley says. “Of course, as a parent you never fully know how your child acts at school. We do our best to equip them and then launch them into the world to see what happens. It was encouraging to have a teacher give a shout out for the kind things Mayliss is doing at school. We would not have known about them, otherwise. We are proud of her and who she is choosing to be.” 

Vype Media asked Mayliss for her thoughts about being the SWMO Grant Deardorff Good Neighbor April 2025 Student of the Month.  

Q. How do you feel about winning the Student of the Month award?  

I felt good about it and I was excited! 

Q. Were you surprised that you won this award?  

 Yes and no, at the same time. I was surprised because there are a lot of kids in my school. I wasn’t surprised because I try to always be kind to people. 

 Q. Your teachers nominated you for being a good student who constantly goes above and beyond to help others! They said you are kind to everyone around you and often help other kids who are struggling. You are known for being a good friend and peer, and a respectful, model student who works hard and always participates. 
Mayliss, what drives you to be such a “Good Neighbor” to your classmates & teachers? 

 Because it makes them happy, and I like to see people happy.  

Q. What do you want to do in the future when you grow up?  

I want to be a physical therapist. 

 Q. How will being a Good Neighbor figure into what you want to be? 

As a physical therapist you must be patient and help them through their struggles. 

Congratulations Mayliss for being our VYPE SWMO April 2025 – Grant Deardorff State Farm Good Neighbor Student of the Month!