Academic Excellence at WHS Celebrated In a Moving Ceremony Sponsored by the PTSA
by Taylor Seabolt for Walkersville High School Lion’s Pride
On October 24th, Walkersville High School celebrated the success of the Lions who had a grade point average of 3.5 or higher last school year. These students have worked hard and have strived to maintain good grades.
When they walk the stage on graduation day, students will wear the academic excellence award pins on their gown. Lions are recognized once a year for this achievement and their attire is professional.
“It’s important to have recognition for hard work; working hard deserves recognition,” said junior Abe Cain.
“I’m excited to attend because this is my first academic excellence award,” said sophomore Carter High.
“Last year I had really good grades and I’m excited to get my pin,” said senior Giovanni Penate.
“The celebration shows that you’ve worked hard I’m nervous and excited, but proud,” said sophomore Rachel Boyd.
In each student’s high school career, they can encounter many amazing unique individuals. However people sometimes group you with a certain crowd and label you. John Hughes in the film The Breakfast Club wrote “you see us as you want to see us…in the simplest terms and most convenient definitions you see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal.”
This ceremony brings all of the students together to be a part of a celebration bigger than the ways of society.
At 6:15pm, students receiving the award started to shuffle into the gym with confident smiles. Friends find each other and transition into casual conversation.
Everyone dressed wonderfully for the occasion with well thought out attire. Once the parents and guardians of the Lions are seated, the ceremony began at 7pm.
Principal Tracey Franklin begins with a beautiful speech on how PRIDE fits differently into the lives of WHS students.
The Lions are then treated to a video of a student who had graduated from WHS in the 2009 school year. Maliah Martin went straight into the U.S Naval Academy with a full scholarship. She also played lacrosse while attending this prestigious school. After she graduated from the academy she continued into the marine corps and began her training to become a jet fighter pilot. She recently completed her soft wings which mark the completion of her preliminary exams. When she earns her hard wings she will be only one of two female jet pilots in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“She is a tough cookie and is the epitome of girl power. She set a great example for our young ladies,” said Franklin.
After the incredible speech and video, the students begin to be recognized. Students were called up in order as follows, sophomores with a grade point average of 4.0, sophomores with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, juniors with a grade point average of 4.0, and juniors with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, seniors with a 3.5 or higher grade point average, and seniors with a 4.0 grade point average. Students say their names into the microphone and walk the stage with lights as well as eyes following them.
WHS treated students and their families to snacks/refreshments after the ceremony. Parents spoke of how proud they are and companions congratulate one another for academic excellence.
“It wasn’t half bad — it was inspiring how many students worked so hard. It’s nice to see hard work recognized,” said junior Jonathan Rushbrook.
“I think it went well everyone was recognized that needed to be,” said sophomore Mason Long.
“I thought it was pretty good; they all went when they were supposed to and I think it was organized very well,” said senior Allison Barnes.
“It was nerve wracking for me,” said junior Kamryn Dudley.
“I thought it was outstanding! A lot of students don’t get the recognition they deserve through academics, and I think that night was really special especially for the students who aren’t athletes and don’t usually get recognized,” said Coach Erick Greene.
“I thought it was nicely done; everyone was dressed beautifully. It was neat program to honor the hard work of students. I thought Martin was very nice to send us that video. The program was flawless. The PTSA did an outstanding job organizing the whole thing,” said Assistant Principal Cindy Johnson.
“I thought it went very well. I think we do a good job to make it personal to the kids. It’s truly about the Walkersville students. I don’t think our words are dry or boring; it’s specific to the kids that we love and it’s easy because of how inspiring the kids are. You are being inspired by great teenagers. When you speak to the heart and speak to the talent the kids do a really nice job. I would classify that as a win to celebrate academic excellence,” said Franklin.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to recognize students academic success because most of the time it’s overshadowed by everything going on,” said Assistant Principal Sheri Murphy.
The PTSA did a wonderful job preparing and carrying through with the academic excellence ceremony. Thanks to the hard work of so many incredible people the night went gracefully and joyously.
