LEWISTON — Move over “most likely to succeed,” “best dressed” and “class clown.”

Lewiston High School this year created a “Freshman Recognition Day” in which peers voted on which students are the most responsible, most respectful and are the best citizens.

Saying underclassmen don’t get the attention they should when they’re extra considerate and hard working, high school officials formed the freshman day for May 10, the same day as “Sophomore Recognition Day,” which started four years ago.

Zakiya Sheikh, 14, was one of five freshmen voted best citizen.

Criteria for the honor include being likely to volunteer, supporting school activities, being a positive role model and working to make the school a better place.

If Sheikh sees one student picking on another, she’ll ask them to stop and “think of others before you think of yourself,” she said.

Sophomore Norah Schlax, 16, was among 10 sophomores voted by her peers as most respectful.

Criteria for the honor include respecting school property, not interrupting or disrespecting teachers or others, being on time and ready for class, and being able to disagree with but still respect the opinions of others.

“I try not to use derogatory language or put people down,” Schlax said. “I try and make sure people feel good about themselves, because I don’t like being called names.”

The sophomore day was brought about by sophomore biology teacher Ronda Fournier. After she attended an awards program for upperclassmen, and was disappointed “we didn’t recognize freshmen and sophomores,” she said. “I asked if we could do more. I was told to come up with a program.”

Teachers vote on which students win academic awards, students pick the civic winners.

This year, ninth grade social studies teacher Jay Dufour followed Fournier’s lead.

The intent is to recognize students who aren’t the most popular, the best scholars or athletes; to give praise to great students doing great things that go under the radar.

“Teachers stressed to us when voting not to vote for the most popular kids, but to think about who is making a difference on their team,” Sheikh said. “Who is helping people? Who is working hard in class?” That, she said, “made us look at our peers in a different way.”

In May, the school hosted four award ceremonies, one for each class.

Parents were invited. Award ceremonies are a good opportunity to show off to the community what students are doing, Assistant Principal Michael Hutchins said.

Junior Abbie Loisel, 17, said juniors and seniors are given similar academic and civic awards, but teachers — not students — decide the civic winners. Loisel, who won a most improved in math award, likes the idea of students deciding who’s the most responsible, respectable and best citizen.

“It makes the students really think about who really does all the work,” Loisel said.