California Scholarship Federation, CSF, is a state-wide organization, and part of a national organization, that recognizes and honors students for outstanding scholarship in academic coursework. Downey High is proud to have been an active CSF chapter since 1938. Nationally, colleges and universities have come to recognize CSF membership as an indication of an applicant’s excellent scholarship. Each year, about 5% of California’s graduating seniors are honored as CSF Sealbearers; this is also the highest academic honor awarded at DHS.

To achieve Sealbearer status, which is a lifetime membership in CSF, Seniors must be a CSF member for four (4) semesters, including at least one (1) semester as a Senior. At graduation, Sealbearers wear gold cords and tassels, lead the class onto the field for commencement, and are cited as “graduating with honors” when their names are read. A gold CSF seal is embossed on their high school diploma as permanent evidence of academic excellence. Congratulations, Vikings!