BRIGHTON — Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School’s academic honors for 2014-15 culminated June 2 with the President’s Education Awards Program.

Students whose efforts and performances met the program’s criteria throughout the year received academic achievement and excellence awards from PECS staff on behalf of President Barack Obama.

Principal Brian Greseth praised students for their accomplishments.

“These awards are earned, not given,” Greseth said. “These kids did their work in class, did their homework, studied for tests and did extra reading. Their hard work and effort speak to how well they will do in school and after.”

Founded in 1983 and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, the President’s Education Awards Program honors elementary, middle and high school students for achievement and hard work. The program’s Educational Excellence award is given to students with grade point averages of 3.5 to 4.0. The students must have high achievement in reading or math on state or nationally normed tests and/or receive recommendations from a teacher plus one other staff member reflecting outstanding achievement in core curriculum classes.

The program’s Educational Achievement honor acknowledges students who show outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment or intellectual development in their academic studies. The award encourages and rewards students who give their best effort in school, often despite personal obstacles.

In other areas, students received awards for effort, citizenship, improvement, honor rolls, culture and physical education.

“Success is not all about being smart; it’s about working hard,” Greseth said. “Students do well when they work hard, but parents need to make sure they get their homework done, practice and study. When kids work hard, so do the parents.”