SELECTION OF SENIOR AWARDS AND HONORS

There are two times during the school year when selections of senior awards and honors are made – Fall and Spring – and the process for the selection at these times differs.

SENIOR AWARDS:FALL

In Fall, the selection process is initiated by the Director of Guidance who conducts a survey of all faculty and staff to get input on those seniors who have best demonstrated the qualities of leadership, citizenship, service and character during their first three years of high school.Faculty are asked to be discerning in identifying students so that they nominate no more than approximately 6-8 (depending upon class size) in each category.These surveys are tallied, ACT and class rank are added to them, and then these results are distributed to the members of the Academic Council for consideration at their September meeting.

At the September Academic Council meeting, members suggest which students best match which honors.Senior Profile materials are often consulted and through much discussion consensus is reached.

Students are notified of the award when actual application materials arrive in the Counseling Office and the Director of Guidance assists in the completion of all applications.Announcement of these awards occurs in the Parent Ledger and, often, the FDL Reporter.

Rotary Students of the Month

Criteria:High ethical standards, service, goodwill, not just top of class, should be able to speak publicly and represent Springs well, able to communicate with adults

Nomination:By faculty survey of criteria

Award:Attend Rotary luncheons for the month, speak at the end, picture in newspaper

D.A.R. “Good Citizen” Award

Criteria:Good citizen (often shown through participation in scouts, 4-H, junior military)

Nomination:By faculty survey of criteria

Award:Certificate and pin awarded at banquet with parents, essay continues in state competition, usually picture in paper

Noon Optimists Recognition

Criteria:Significantly contributing students, (i.e. Key Club, Ambassadors, Art Club,Student Council, etc.), may not otherwise be recognized

Nomination:By faculty survey of criteria

Award:Attend banquet with parents, is presented by teacher, plaque or certificate, picture in newspaper

Principal’s Leadership

Criteria:Leadership and top 25% of class

Nomination:By faculty survey of criteria

Award:Nomination to compete to receive a $1,000 scholarship

Wisconsin All-State and Robert Byrd Honors Scholarship

Criteria:Highest grade point and highest test scores on ACT/SAT

Nomination:By faculty survey of criteria

Award:Nomination to compete for $1,000, banquet with parents, picture in State Journal

Herb Kohl Student Scholarship

Criteria:Leadership, service, citizenship in school, community, and parish

Nomination:By faculty survey of criteria

Award:Nomination to compete for $1,000 to school, $1,000 to student, banquet with parents and Senator Kohl, picture in newspaper

Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Initiative Scholarship

Every fifth year, Springs has the opportunity to select a recipient for this Initiative Scholarship.

Criteria:Student would not likely qualify for other academic-based scholarships, has given maximum effort in the classroom, has experienced significant personal challenges during their educational journey, and shows strong promise for succeeding in a post secondary environment.

Nomination:By faculty survey of criteria

Award:$1,000 and parents attend banquet with student

Fond du Lac Exchange Club Scholarship

Criteria:Graduating senior who has overcome a hardship, obstacle in life, handicap, home problem or has turned their life or school life around

Nomination:By all staff

Award:$500 and attendance at banquet.Because this banquet is in late March or early April, this selection should probably be made in fall.

SENIOR AWARDS:SPRING

In Spring, there are more awards to be determined and depending on the award, nomination or application for them may be originated by the student, by a counselor, athletic director, classmates, or faculty.

Once the application or nomination process has been completed and appropriate materials gathered, the Academic Council meets to discuss and/or endorse the nominated student.It has been the school’s philosophy to “spread the wealth”, so to speak, so that as many different and deserving students can be recognized as is possible.

In cases where an honor is “earned” by the student (i.e. Level V Academic Awards, Presidential Awards, Rotary Scholars), no discussion occurs.

Unless a granting organization holds an awards banquet earlier, the honored senior usually learns of this selection at the Honors Assembly held shortly before graduation.All Honors Assembly awards are then published in the Parent Ledger and individual scholarships/awards sponsored by organizations may receive additional press in the FDL Reporter.

Level V Academic Award

Criteria:student will have achieved 18 points for semester grade point averages through 7 semesters per criteria identified in the student handbook

Award:Plaque

Presidential Gold Award

Criteria:Student must be enrolled in a core curriculum (as our diploma requires) and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and have scored at the 85th percentile of the ACT/SAT in Reading or Math.

Nomination:By counselor who identifies eligible students

Award:Gold printed certificate

Presidential Silver Award

Criteria:“Students who work hard and give their best effort in school often in the face of obstacles to their learning”

Nomination:By all faculty

Award:Silver printed certificate

Rotary Scholars Certificates

Criteria:Students who have a grade point average of 3.25 or higher

Award:Attendance at Rotary Scholars Luncheon in May and certificate which is individually presented at the Honors Assembly

Kiwanis Hall of Fame

Criteria:Student deemed to be “The Best” student in the department by teachers in that department based upon grades, contribution to classes and the type and number of classes taken in the department.

Award:Name entered on the “Hall of Fame” plaque in school

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award

Criteria:Senior athlete in school-sponsored sport, recognized as an exemplary citizen and role model and who has best exhibited personal traits of courage, poise, self-confidence and leadership while performing as a varsity athlete.

Nomination:By Athletic Director

Award:Certificate

U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award

Criteria:Senior with at least a 3.5 GPA, recognized as an exemplary citizen and role model and who is recognized as having best exhibited academic achievement and leadership as a high school scholar

Nomination:By counselor

Award:Certificate

U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Band Award

Criteria:Senior in the school band, recognized as an exemplary citizen and role model and who is recognized as having best exhibited musical achievement and leadership as a member of the school band

Nomination:By Band Director

Award:Certificate

U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award

Criteria:One male and one female who excel in the classroom and on the athletic field

Nomination:By Athletic Director

Award:Olympic-style bronze medal and certificate

Tim Solberg Memorial Award

Criteria:Since it honors their son, the Solberg family decided that the student selected should be a student who has a cheerful smile and disposition, is honest, responsible, hard-working, has a sense of humor, is friendly to all classmates and teachers, shows respect for self and others, is self-motivated, is warm and understanding and is concerned with the welfare of others.Student must live the Christian faith.

Nomination:All seniors and all faculty nominate students.A second vote is held.  Family is given voting results and Senior Profiles of students and then they decide.(If the family is not up to deciding, the school decides.)

Award:Family presents an individual desktop plaque and name is inscribed on school plaque.There may be a small monetary gift as well.

Sr. Michaela O’Brien Servant-Leader Award

Criteria:Member of Campus Ministry, active participant in Religion classes, models Christian values and behaviors, and is involved in service

Nomination:By Theology teachers

Award:A desktop clock engraved with name of the award

Adrian Schmitz Memorial Award

Criteria:Senior who is an active participant in Religion classes, models Christian values and behaviors and is involved in service

Nomination:By Theology teachers

Award:$500

Roy & Minna Willis Scholarship

Criteria:Any senior may apply for this scholarship which is based upon: 1.service, 2.financial need, 3.strength of academic program

Selection Committee:Is to include someone from the college level, 2 faculty and one administrator

Award:$4,000 from the FDL Area Foundation

Outstanding Christian Female Athlete

Criteria:3.0 GPA, athlete, participates in at least one sport senior year

Application:Through Athletic Director’s office

Selection:All faculty are given opportunity to recommend 3 candidates.Then acommittee (chaired by Athletic Director, with principal, girls’ coaches, and 2 faculty) decides.

Award:Individual plaque and name on school plaque

Tom Shaw Award

Criteria:3.0 GPA, athlete, participates in at least one sport senior year

Application:Through Athletic Director’s office

Selection:All faculty are given opportunity to recommend 3 candidates.Then a committee (chaired by Ed Huck, several of Tom’s classmates, principal, boys’ coaches, and 2 faculty) decides.

Award:Individual plaque and name on school plaque

Ray Kroc McDonald’s Award

Criteria:Student who has earned the respect of both peers and teachers and has excelled in a variety of areas (citizenship, leadership, scholarship, sportsmanship).Award is created to honor well-rounded students not necessarily those typically identified as recipients of sports or scholarship awards.

Selection:All seniors are considered for this award

Award:A medallion presented by a member of the McDonald’s management

Harriet Huber Tuttle Valedictorian Award

Criteria:Awarded to the class valedictorian

Award:$500

Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship

Criteria:Springs receives one award that must go to the student with the highest grade point average, i.e. class valedictorian.The student handbook includes information on tie breaking procedures.

Award: Maximum of $2,250 to any UW, private, or technical school in Wisconsin

Eloise Rueping Atkinson Scholarship

Criteria:The award goes to the class’ salutatorian

Award:$1,000 (which can be split if there are co-salutatorians) and check issued by the FDL Area Foundation

Jean Gores Memorial Scholarship

Criteria:Since this scholarship honors their daughter, a journalist, the Gores family decided that the student selected should be a student who plans to major in Journalism and/or have been a significant contributor to Springs’ yearbook or newspaper.

Nomination:By faculty who advise yearbook and newspaper and by counselor who knows students’ majors

Award:$500 and certificate and name on school plaque

Daniel Schaad Memorial Music Scholarship

Criteria:Graduating senior who plans to attend college who has been significantly involved in music and/or musical theatre (in decision-making, music will be emphasized) while at Springs.Student need not major or minor in music.

Application:Through the Counseling Office

Award:$500 and is determined by a selection committee chaired by the Development Director

Searl Pickett Memorial Music Scholarship

Criteria:Graduating senior who plans to major or minor in music

Application:Through the Counseling Office

Award:This award is made only if at least $100 has been earned in interest by the fund and is determined by the Band Director as well as one other musically qualified person from outside the community

2003-2004 – Only $64.75 is in fund according to T. Harasha so not awarded this year.

Wisconsin Masonic Foundation Scholarship

Criteria:Graduation senior with a commendable record who is attending college.

Recipient must have demonstrated leadership ability and service as evidenced by school, community, and church involvement

Application:Through the Counseling Office

Award:$500 (which could be split between 2 students)