The tradition of handing out the John Draper Award to departing eighth graders at North Whidbey Middle School seems to be developing a pattern, of sorts.

In 2008, Elias Whitefoot received the award. In 2012, for the first time ever, the sibling of a past recipient, Anna Belle Whitefoot, won the award. This year, their little brother, Weston Whitefoot, became the third family member to receive the John Draper Award.

While most of the awards handed out on the last day of school are band or choir related,  the John Draper Award goes to an eighth grader who has a good, fun-loving, enthusiastic personality with leadership qualities, who makes a positive impact on others and who is active outside and with extracurricular activities.

Around since 1988, the award is named for John Draper, a student who died.

“I think it’s a big honor for them, and it’s in recognition for how they live their life as nice, kind people who look out for others and also work hard in and of the classroom,” said the Whitefoot children’s mother, Sarah Hangan.

Hangan is a teacher at Oak Harbor Middle School.

The siblings have another brother, Noah, 12, who attends Oak Harbor Middle School.

“My kids are very close- knit,” Hangan said, “and just excited and so happy that their little brother would also be honored with this award.”

When Anna Belle won the award, Elias was asked to present it to her. On Tuesday, June 17, Elias, now 20, and Anna Belle, 16, both surprised Weston, 14, at the school to present him with the honor.

“It just made me really happy to give it to Anna Belle, and then to find out Weston got it just another couple years later. It’s just an honor to think that people think that highly of us,” said Elias.

Elis said he was shocked when he received the award.

“Our mom must be doing something right,” Anna Belle said.

Recipients of the award are chosen as the result of a three-stage process. First, nominations are made, then there is a peer vote and, finally, an adult vote. In the end, the eight grader with the most votes receives this award.

Weston said he suspected it was a between him and one of his friends, so he wasn’t completely surprised to win, but he still feels honored to receive it.

“Having those traits of John Draper is just a really … I just think it’s really awesome,” Weston said.

“We always work hard throughout the year, try to strive for our best,” he said. “That’s how our mom brought us up, you know. You treat everyone the same; you do everything 100 percent, 110 percent; you always do everything your best. If it’s school or sports or even just being kind, you always take care of everybody.”

None of them forget that the award isn’t just to honor them, but to honor John Draper, whose personality and achievements as a student were the reason this award was started.

“It’s just very humbling and such a source of pride for me as their mother,” Hangan said. “It’s just amazing, to really see your children grow and become the individuals that you teach the lessons in your home for them to become.”

“I think Weston really, really deserves this award,” Elias said.

“I’m really proud of him and everything that he’s done.”