Academic Awards and Honors

The Garces Memorial Academic Awards Assembly (held in mid-May) recognizes students who have earned academic awards and honors. One awards assembly will focus on seniors. The second awards assembly will concentrate on juniors, sophomores and freshman. Each assembly will be organized and coordinated by the faculty member designated as the Chairperson of the Awards Committee.

Valedictorian

The Valedictorian will be that senior who has attained the highest grade point average (computed to three decimal points) based on seven semesters of course work taken at Garces Memorial High School, during the regular academic year. Course work taken during summer school and at another institution will not be computed in determining the student's grade point average, although said course work may be considered for fulfillment of Garces' graduation requirements. The student will address commencement guests on behalf of the senior class.

• If ties exist relative to the grade point average, each student will be recognized at graduation as Valedictorian. However, only one student will address commencement guests. To select this speaker each valedictorian will present an outline of the proposed speech to the Awards Committee Chairperson by March 31. The Awards Committee will review the outlines submitted. The Awards Committee may make a selection based on this meeting, or it may have each valedictorian prepare and present the entire speech before the Awards Committee no later than April 30. The Awards Committee will make a final selection following this presentation.

Salutatorian

The Salutatorian will be that senior who has attained the second highest grade point average (computed to three decimal points) based on seven semester of course work taken at Garces Memorial High School during the regular academic year. Course work taken during summer school and at another institution will not be computed in determining the student's grade point average, although said course work may be considered for fulfillment of Garces' graduation requirements. This student will open the commencement exercises with an invocation for classmates, parents and friends.

• If ties exist relative to the grade point average, each student will be recognized at graduation as Salutatorian; however, only one student will present an invocation at the commencement exercises. To select the speaker, each candidate will present a draft of the presentation to the Awards Committee Chairperson by April 30. The Awards Committee will review each draft and make its selection.

Bishops's Award, Jim Burke Leadership, Garces Award

The other three major awards presented at graduation are The Bishop's Awards, Jim Burke Leadership Award and the Garces Award. These awards are selected by the Awards Committee based on recommendations from the senior class, faculty and administration.

• All other awards presented at the awards assemblies are selected by the Awards Committee.
  
  
• The Master/Mistress of Ceremonies (emcee) of the Senior Awards Assembly will oversee and direct this event. The student will be responsible for organizing the evening, with input from the Chairperson of the Awards Committee. Selection of this senior will be according to the following procedure:
  
  
• Any senior may apply for this opportunity.
  
  
• Candidates who want to be considered must indicate their intentions in writing to the Awards Committee Chairperson by Friday of the week prior to the ASB elections in April.
  
  
• All students whose names are submitted will appear on a list to be voted on by the seniors at the senior meeting the day of the ASB elections.
  
  
• All seniors will be asked to vote for their top three choices.
  
  
• The Awards Committee will receive and tabulate the results.
  
  
• The top five candidates will appear before the Award Committee at a time to be decided, to present the highlights of their speech and their plan for the evening.
  
  
• The Awards Committee will make its selection as soon as possible after the candidates have presented their plan.
  
  
• The student selected will meet with the Awards Committee Chairperson to coordinate a plan for the evening.

Academic Excellence Awards By Grade Level


The top student (and all ties) in each of the other three levels is determined by computing to 3 decimal places, the cumulative G.P.A. for courses completed only at Garces Memorial, and only during the regular academic year. All Honors and Advanced Placement courses are computed using the weighted system described above.